LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Kentucky Blood Center says they are down to a one-day supply of blood due to the coronavirus.
Seventy hospitals in the state rely on the Kentucky Blood Center in Lexington, which typically operates with a three-day blood supply.
"Because elective surgeries resumed in May, we've seen more hospitals using more blood than they were prior to COVID," Kentucky Blood Center Vice President Mandy Brajuha said.
The center says that's probably because the hospitals are trying to get caught up on surgeries that were postponed.
The Kentucky Blood Center says they're currently trying to get back to a comfortable three-day supply.
"We have to hit that mark every day," Brajuha said. "We'd like to see 400 donors walk through the doors of our donor centers or our blood drives every day."
To help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the center has made many changes, like operating on appointments only and having donors fill out their paperwork online before they come in.
"We've spaced all of our beds 6 feet apart; they're being wiped and sanitized between every donor," Brajuha said. "All commonly touched surfaces are being sanitized more than normal."
The blood center says they advise donors to come in to donate only when they are feeling completely healthy.
"We tell people if you are feeling symptomatic of anything, we don't want you to come in here," Brajuha said. "Certainly, if you are waiting for your test result for the coronavirus, don't come in to donate blood."
For more information on the Kentucky Blood Center, click here.
