Red Cross: Covid-19 Sees Drop In Blood Donation

The chief executive and medical director of the Hong Kong Red Cross blood transfusion service has called on people to donate blood as the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant drop in blood collection.

Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong said they only have three to four days of stock left at local blood banks, and that the stock cannot meet the daily demand for local hospitals.

Lee told RTHK's Priscilla Ng that usually they would see about 500 people donating blood each day, but because the pandemic was forcing some people to stay at home, that number has dropped to about 260.

He also addressed concerns that some members of the public may have about contracting the new coronavirus via blood transfusion, after health authorities revealed that donors were later confirmed to have contracted Covid-19.

But Hospital Authority officials reassured the public that the chances of someone contracting the virus through blood donation or transfusion is very low.

Lee said blood collection sites are thoroughly disinfected, and that precautions have been taken to ensure people can donate blood safely.

He said donors can make appointments on the phone or through a mobile app to avoid overcrowding at collection sites.