Central Visayas blood bank running low on supply as COVID-19 cases rise

The Department of Health-Central Visayas' subnational blood center in the region is already running out of blood supply.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, DOH-Central Visayas spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the region, blood and plasma have been in high demand.

“Ganiyan tayo kababa ang ating supply and remember na ang subnational blood center is the one providing blood for the entire area—both for private and government—kaya very aggressive,” Loreche said.

“So isa sa mga ginagawa ngayon is ‘yong tinatawag na patient-directed donation. Meaning to say, tatawag sa atin ‘yong hospital o ‘yong doktor, kailangan nila ng dugo, wala tayong dugong mabigay, we tell them to bring their donors,” she added.

Due to this, the DOH-Central Visayas organized a blood  donation drive on Thursday at the Hopes Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

So far, there are more than 12,000 cases of COVID-19 in Central Visayas, including over 6,000 active cases and 388 deaths.

Nationwide, cases of COVID-19 rose to 58,850 with 20,976 recoveries and 1,614 fatalities. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News