The new BF.7 covid outbreak in China amidst the cold weather is causing a major blood shortage in the country. Read to know more.
Blood shortage in China amidst BF.7 COVID-19 outbreak
The virus outbreak and the cold weather are causing a sharp decline in blood donations across China. Several provinces in the north and south of China are urging people to donate blood while following personal protection guidelines. As per the Shandong blood center, Jinan, the capital of Shandong province in east China is experiencing a shockingly low blood supply. (https://www.bricks4kidz.com/) The pressure for collection is rising with the unprecedented rise in patients in the outpatient and surgical departments.
Despite having the highest concentration of medical care and supplies in the province, Jinan is suffering low stock of A and O blood groups for many days. Moreover, as per the center, the gap in consumption and bloodstock will be hitting an all-time low with the upcoming holiday and vacation season. This in turn is making clinical procedures and blood transfusions extremely difficult.
More on the health crisis
As per a Global Times report, the blood scarcity amidst the BF.7 covid outbreak is putting seriously ill and pregnant women at risk. To meet the need for blood in hospitals, Guangzhou in the Guangdong province of Southern China needs about 1,200 donors every day. As per the Guangzhou Blood Centre, the outbreak and cold weather are bringing in fewer donors than ever before.
As a token of thanks and prizes for contributions., the clinic is providing antigen testing kits and N95 face marks. Additionally, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) revealed t will stop publishing daily data on new covid-19 deaths and cases. Since the abolition of China’s zero-covid policy, several cities in the country are suffering from an increase in infections. The health emergency is also leaving pharmacy shelves empty and hospitals overcrowded.