As the community blood center for East Texas, we appreciate all the support we have received to help continue to serve patients in Longview. Here are updates about our center. during COVID-19.
#1 – Donating blood is safe and is a continuous need. We have lost nearly 50% of our projected collections through the end of May ( as of April 1st) and we will need donors to continue to visit our donor center in Longview or our mobile drives in the community.
a. We are asking donors to please make an appointment in order to help us manage the donor flow and to ensure we are properly distancing donors apart.
b. We are asking for drive sponsors or potential sponsors that have access to their community to call and schedule a blood drive between Mid-April through July. This will help ensure we have locations and donations to weather the impact of not just COVID19, but also the impact of shelter in place.
#2 – We have implemented several new processes to help mitigate risks of community spread of COVID19. (these are in addition to our already strict cleaning/sterilization SOP’s for blood collection) (See attachment for more details or visit https://www.carterbloodcare.org/covid-19-and-the-blood-supply/)
a. With the new guidance from the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html) Donors and staff are allowed to wear a facemask while donating.
#3 – We are also working with the medical community to collect Convalescent Plasma from recovered COVID19 patients. This plasma is antibody rich and can be transfused to the critically ill to help in their fight against the disease.
a. More information on the Convalescent plasma program can be viewed here: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/like-become-covid-19-convalescent-plasma-donor/
