Prolonged Social Distancing Causes 'Red Alert' for Blood Supply

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The blood supply has fallen below a five-day reserve. There are few signs that conditions will improve, raising concerns about a blood shortage.

According to the Korean Red Cross on the 16th, as of midnight, the blood reserve was recorded at 3.8 days. The appropriate blood reserve is considered to be five days. Since falling below five days on the 8th, it has not improved much. Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), more than 200 schools and institutions have canceled group blood donations since mid-last month, and with the end of medical staff collective actions, blood usage has increased, making supply and demand difficult.

As the number of blood donors decreases and blood usage continues to rise, a blood supply caution will be issued if the blood reserve falls below three days. In this case, medical institutions will find it difficult to respond except in emergencies, and the Korean Red Cross warned that a blood supply crisis could occur in the event of disasters or large-scale accidents. To stabilize the blood supply, the Korean Red Cross has communicated cooperation plans and promotional measures to government ministries and requested public institutions to participate in group blood donations.

The Blood Management Headquarters of the Korean Red Cross stated, "During the blood supply crisis caution stage issued last May, the majority of the public actively participated in blood donation, stabilizing the blood supply," and added, "We are thoroughly implementing quarantine measures such as personal hygiene management of workers, disinfection of blood collection equipment and donation sites, and installation of partitions to create a safe blood collection environment."

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