[Mun Honam's Pick and Write] COVID-19 and Blood Donation, The Power to Overcome Together

Despite a 30,000 Drop in Blood Donations Due to COVID-19, Supply Shortages Gradually Resolved Through Citizens' Participation and Interest

The blood supply shortage caused by COVID-19 is gradually improving thanks to the continuous interest and participation of citizens. As of midnight on the 17th, the blood stock was sufficient for 5.1 days. The usual adequate blood stock is five days. An employee at the Korean Red Cross Seoul East Blood Center is organizing the blood storage refrigerator. Blood donation is an act of sharing love together. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Employees at the Eastern Blood Center are moving blood boxes labeled "Blood Donation is Love" to the blood storage room. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The blood storage at the Dongbu Blood Center is less crowded than in previous years. Blood from soldiers in domestic malaria outbreak areas, placed on the floor, stands out. To maintain a stable blood supply, the government has temporarily allowed blood donations. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Honam] A blood supply vehicle is speeding with its hazard lights on. The phrase "Blood donation is love" is written on the side of the vehicle. The vehicle headed to the blood receiving room. The blood receiving room is where transported blood is collected and sorted. Staff carefully stacked blood boxes on a cart. Even an employee with a bandaged arm lent a hand. This was the scene at the Seoul Eastern Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross on the afternoon of the 17th.

The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues. Since infection occurs through droplets from infected individuals, the "social distancing" campaign has taken hold. Consequently, a blood supply emergency was declared. Group blood donations were canceled due to the risk of mass infection. With the postponement of the start of school for elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide, visits to blood donation centers also decreased. According to the Korean Red Cross, since the occurrence of COVID-19 cases, blood donation performance has decreased by 35,417 cases compared to the same period last year.

The blood storage at the Eastern Blood Center was also quieter than usual. Blood from soldiers placed on the floor caught the eye. It was blood from soldiers in Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, Yeoncheon-gun, and Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. These areas are originally domestic malaria endemic regions where blood donation is not allowed. The government temporarily permitted blood donation to maintain the reduced blood stock at a stable level. They said that if the blood is stored for about 15 days and then used, there is no safety problem.

Although COVID-19 caused a significant impact, the blood supply shortage is gradually improving. As of midnight on the 17th, the stock was at 5.1 days' worth. The blood center considers that an appropriate blood stock is when five days' worth of blood is collected in one day. The blood stock has been gradually increasing from 3.9 days on the 13th, 4.4 days on the 14th, 4.8 days on the 15th, 4.9 days on the 16th, to 5.1 days on the 17th.

Jung Sung-yoon, assistant manager of the Blood Donation Support Team at the Korean Red Cross, said, "Steady media promotion and the community spirit of citizens are playing a big role in overcoming the blood supply shortage," adding, "Group blood donations are gradually resuming, mainly in some public institutions. For stable blood supply, continuous interest and participation from citizens are important."

The reporter also visited a blood donation center for the first time in six years after discharge from military service. A whole blood donation, which takes less than 30 minutes, was done. It was the fourth blood donation in life. Although it was a weekday evening, people who wanted to donate blood steadily came in. A warm heart was felt. Perhaps the strength to overcome COVID-19 lies in such warm interest and practice.

/Photo & text = Reporter Moon Honam munonam@

'From the blood supply vehicle to the blood storage room,' even employees with bandaged arms are lending a hand. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Employees are sorting blood in the blood receiving room. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, blood donations are possible until April even in malaria risk areas. An employee at the Eastern Blood Center is organizing blood. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The frozen plasma is fully stocked in the frozen storage of the Eastern Blood Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

An employee is organizing the blood refrigerator at the Dongbu Blood Center, where access is restricted to outsiders. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

You can see the nationwide real-time blood collection and supply status at a glance. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

A citizen is donating whole blood at the Blood Donation Center. The promotional phrase of the Korean Red Cross on the wall, "The person who saves lives is us," catches the eye. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The blood center considers an adequate blood supply to be the amount collected over five days. The stock levels by blood type are displayed. Steady public interest is needed amid the COVID-19 situation. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The reporter also visited the Blood Donation Center for the first time in six years after discharge. He donated whole blood, which takes about 30 minutes. It was his fourth blood donation in his life. Although it was a weekday evening, people kept coming in to donate blood. A warm feeling was felt. Perhaps this small kindness is the strength to overcome COVID-19. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.