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Blood clinics still on

Some appointments will be cancelled for physical distancing
WES blood clinic
Blood donations remain necessary, so the clinics scheduled for Westlock and Barrhead are still happening with reduced numbers.

WESTLOCK – The need for blood is not on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, so the mobile donation clinic scheduled for April 21 at the Westlock and District Community Hall is still running.

Canadian Blood Services has instead reduced the number of appointments to accommodate for physical distancing.

“Some donors will be contacted as we have had to cancel their appointments due to the fact that we are not able to accommodate as many donors as we usually do,” said Deb Steele-Kretschmer, communications specialist with the organization.

CBS did not respond to a request from the News to clarify the exact number of people they normally accommodate and how much they’ve scaled down their operations.

Although this particular clinic is scheduled to run and is currently at full capacity, some clinics across the province have seen a number of cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reduction in numbers here reflects that trend across the province and, CBS says, is affecting the amount of blood being donated at a time when the need for blood remains unaffected.

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also reminded Albertans in an April 1 tweet that the need for blood remains, encouraging people to schedule appointments to donate.

Although typically, clinics in Westlock rarely accommodate walk-ins – this is due to the fact that all available slots for these mobile units fill up with appointments – other facilities have been shut down because they can’t accommodate the physical distancing measures.

There are also new restrictions in place at all blood donor clinics: those who have tested positive for COVID-19, have travelled abroad, or have developed a fever or a cough after being in contact with a confirmed case or someone returning from outside of Canada.

Pre-donation salty snacks are also no longer available.

CBS confirmed the June 22 clinic in Barrhead and the July 14 one in Westlock will also proceed as scheduled.

Currently, there are no donor centres in Athabasca.

Andreea Resmerita, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @andreea_res

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