You are free to decline to donate at any point in the process. As the national blood operator, Canadian Blood Services has the expertise and the infrastructure necessary to safely collect, prepare and distribute convalescent plasma for use in clinical trials. For some travel, a longer deferral is already in place. We are the national blood authority and blood system operator, which includes the collection of plasma for manufacturing into plasma protein products. The data collected for the purposes of the study is subjected to Canadian Blood Services’ research ethics board protocols. To address the immediate needs for blood and platelet collections, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must shift capacity in a manner that optimizes our collection network. If you have been hospitalized with COVID-19 you will need to wait 21 days after your full recovery to donate blood. These provinces include New Brunswick, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and all three territories. The Canadian Press . Digital touch screens used to sign in for donor appointments and the Q-osk donors use to fill out their questionnaire are cleaned after every use, along with the signature pad and digital pen that donors use to sign their consent. Canadian Blood Services is seeking to reassure donors that it's safe to give blood, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Blood Services will continue to evaluate the latest evidence and work closely with provincial/territorial partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Héma-Quebec, international blood agencies and the World Health Organization to prepare for and address the COVID-19 situation. Charitable Registration No. We recommend patients contact their transplant program or their local public health office for advice. Canadian Blood Services says the same. Canadians rely on us to keep the blood system safe and we take this responsibility very seriously. These measures should minimize exposures and maximize donor safety. Your decision will be confidential. Current evidence and risk modelling suggests that COVID-19 is not transmissible through the transfusion of blood and blood products. Employees, volunteers and contractors will also be allowed to enter our sites if they have travelled between the “bubbled” provinces and meet other entry requirements. Canadian Blood Services and do not necessarily reflect those of governments. For pregnant moms donating their babies cord blood during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking every step to maximize donor safety throughout the cord blood collection process. Canadian Blood Services needs more people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma for a project that could potentially help others suffering from the respiratory illness. We take this responsibility very seriously and we do everything we can to safeguard the activities that fall within our authority. Canadian Blood Services will continue to evaluate the latest evidence and work closely with provincial/territorial partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada, Héma-Quebec, international blood agencies and the World Health Organization to prepare for and address a potential pandemic situation. This only works if all parties wear a mask. If you’re not, Canada may be calling you to let a little blood as a civic duty. Epidemiologists at Canadian Blood Services, led by Dr. Sheila O’Brien, are part of the team and will study the impact of geography, age and time of collection on immunity. If you’re not, Canada may be calling you to let a little blood as a civic duty. Please note that your final eligibility rests with our staff. Collection and transplant of tissues has since started to resume and is returning to normal. At the same time, we want to ensure the safety of our donors, employees and volunteers. Any donors with confirmed cases of COVID19 will be deferred for 56 days after full recovery from the infection. To support our decision to implement mandatory masks for donors, we will be introducing a new system in our refreshment areas effective May 11. As cases of COVID-19 continue to emerge across the world, WMDA launched a special COVID-19 webpage that is publicly available and updated regularly when new information is shared by member organizations, professional societies and courier companies. Current evidence and risk modelling suggest that COVID-19 is not transmissible through blood and blood products. The views expressed in this document are those of Canadian Blood Services and do not necessarily reflect those of governments. Many fixed donor centres will see expanded hours for donors, while we temporarily suspend collection at others. After we process your kit and obtain your HLA typing, you will be fully registered. Our donor centres remain open throughout the pandemic so we can continue to provide essential products and services for patients in need. To maximize donor safety throughout the cord blood collection process, our partner hospitals have put appropriate physical distancing measures in place and will be taking every precaution, including the use of personal protective equipment. No. You will be told in advance exactly when the patient will start this treatment and given every opportunity to decline before that date. We are committed to ensuring mothers have a safe and rewarding donor experience. After this rest period, we encourage you to grab a snack and refreshment and take it with you when you leave the donor centre. As the situation rapidly evolves these provisions are subject to change. Canadian Blood Services is urging stem cell donors to stay committed to their appointments. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19, please cancel your appointment until you have confirmation of your results. Our donors will continue to be screened for active infections and travel history. The suspension was guided by the recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the increasing hospital restrictions to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Blood products inventory management Phase one of the research project will allow us to validate the meaning of negative and positive test results as they relate to COVID-19. We also hope to supply some blood products to researchers through our Blood4Research Program. The COVID-19 Immunity Task Force recently rolled out its latest wave of antibody home test kits in its effort to map the prevalence of COVID-19 in the country. Pandemic planning to safeguard the supply of blood and blood products is led by the National Emergency Blood Management Committee, which includes representation from provincial and territorial health systems, the National Advisory Committee on Blood and Blood Products and Canadian Blood Services. No. Pamphlets that are not laminated are single use. Lastly, we would like to caution all donors to very carefully consider the source of any new information about COVID-19. Dr. … Summary reports will be sent to the Task Force. During the COVID-19 global outbreak, we will continue to deliver on this. We are notifying donors of donation events that have been suspended or moved to a different location. Public Health Agency of Canada also provides guidance on how high-risk people can stay safe: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/people-high-risk-for-severe-illness-covid-19.html. We are continuously evaluating whether additional assessments or deferral policies are needed or if additional measures are required to protect employees, volunteers and donors. Canada’s blood supply is recognized as one of the safest in the world. The Statistics Canada kit and return mailer as part of the Canadian Covid-19 Antibody and Health Survey ( Angela Walker-CBC) Canada wants thousands of blood samples for COVID survey CALGARY — Canadian Blood Services is closely watching the second wave of COVID-19 to make sure the national blood supply remains secure. Right now, Ichor Blood Services’ testing program is only available to Canadians travelling to the U.S. Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram  Youtube. We are taking a number of proactive steps to limit the risk of infection to our donors and staff. Canadian Blood Services is recognized as an essential service by the provinces and territories during this pandemic. Potential organ donors are tested for COVID-19 and if they test positive they will not be able to donate. We have removed tables from our refreshment area, to limit the number of surfaces a donor may come in contact with. Face shields are available in collections and non-collections environments where effective physical distancing is not possible. This partnership was announced by the federal government on June 17, 2020, and is expected to operate over the next two years. For this reason, it is important to take precautions to prevent infection. Travel deferrals are in place and we are continuously evaluating whether additional assessments or deferral policies are needed or if additional measures are required to protect donors, patients, employees and volunteers. When a donor, employee or volunteer walks through our doors they can take comfort in knowing that we are taking proactive steps to limit the risk of infection. Following a spell of cancellations as COVID-19 shutdowns first went into effect, Canadian Blood Services is now reporting a rise in donations. All organ donors are being tested for COVID-19, but the virus spreads easily. Our collection centres have appropriate physical distancing measures in place and will be taking every precaution to maximize donor safety throughout the donation process. Canadian Blood Services and do not necessarily reflect those of governments. Only healthy people are eligible to donate blood. Gaiter/buff-style masks are not permitted in Canadian Blood Services sites. We are currently following the advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure, to the best of our ability, that employees who work in our donor centres are healthy. This includes plasma protein products, which are pharmaceutical therapies made from plasma — a component of blood. Ottawa. wearing a Canadian Blood Services-supplied surgical mask over their own mask. Gaiter/buff style masks are not considered as effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Canadian Blood Services routinely tests donor blood samples for infectious disease and unexpected antibodies. This includes plasma protein products, which are pharmaceutical therapies made from plasma — a component of blood. This includes plasma protein products, which are pharmaceutical therapies made from plasma — a component of blood. People who have tested positive for COVID-19; People who have developed a fever and cough after close contact with someone who has tested positive, People who have developed a fever and cough within 14 days of travel outside Canada. Once inside the building, all donors, employees and volunteers will be instructed to sanitize their hands before proceeding further. Here are some of the changes that might affect you beginning on March 16, 2020: A 21-day deferral for donors returning from travel outside of Canada, the continental U.S. and Europe was put in place for Zika virus and remains active. Can people without an appointment go to a donor centre and donate blood? In addition, masks are mandatory for everyone — including employees, volunteers, donors and contractors. It also is consistent with the public health measures being implemented by many of the provinces. “Blood cells don’t have the binding sites COVID-19 is looking for,” Canadian Blood Services explains on its website. In addition to these steps, we have provided FAQs for staff to provide donors with the answers they need. Surgical face masks provided by Canadian Blood Services are mandatory while within our donor centres and mobile donation event venues. Canadian Blood Services has a strong record of responding quickly and effectively to public health issues as demonstrated in the past with West Nile Virus, Chagas, SARS, MERS, Zika and H1N1. A transplant can save a life, but it also weakens the immune system, which makes someone more likely to get sick from viruses. Please refrain from drinking a hot beverage 5-10 minutes before arriving to your appointment. No, we are not currently testing for COVID-19. As we would for flu symptoms or other illnesses, we ask our donors to stay at home if they are not feeling well, since only healthy people are eligible to donate blood. Only pre-wrapped snacks are available, and they will be offered directly to donors. Appointments help minimize the number of people in our donor centres at a given time; Appointments also allow prospective donors to complete a pre-screening questionnaire before they arrive at a donor centre, allowing them to self-defer if necessary in keeping with health and safety recommendations; We ask all eligible donors to book an appointment online at blood.ca, on the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283). As with blood and blood products, Canadians rely on us to keep the stem cell program safe and we take this responsibility very seriously. In compliance with the Public Health Agency of Canada's direction to enable physical distancing, we are evaluating our mobile and fixed donor sites to make sure they meet this requirement. The evolving situation with COVID-19 is unprecedented, and Canadian Blood Services is focused on doing our part to help keep patients, families and communities safe. In these circumstances, wearing masks helps minimize the likelihood of droplet transmission from one individual to another. The refill quantity is also determined by their doctor. We have removed opened and unwrapped snacks from our donor refreshment stations. The views expressed in this document are those of Private Covid-19 Testing and Contact Lab Specimen Collection. Financial gifts to Canadian Blood Services also help make a difference for patients by supporting donor recruitment efforts and strengthening our national programs and initiatives for life essentials. We are encouraging the public to register online and get their swab kit delivered in the mail. Like donors, employees are subject to two active wellness checkpoints upon entry into donor centres where instructions such as hand sanitizing are mandatory. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem as fewer people are registering to donate. You may be able to donate blood after travelling outside of Manitoba. ‘On the precipice’: COVID-19 has Canadian Blood Services worried about shortage. To align with provincial regulations and advice from public health, we have modified the wellness check questionnaire at our Atlantic collection events. Canadian Blood Services is gearing up to start testing for COVID-19 antibodies in the next few weeks, contributing to a massive cross-country study to … As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Canadian Blood Services’ Cord Blood Bank temporarily suspended cord blood collections at its four collection hospitals in Ottawa, Brampton, Edmonton and Vancouver. During the COVID-19 global outbreak, we will continue to deliver on this. Appointments also allow prospective donors to complete a pre-screening questionnaire before they arrive at a donor centre, allowing them to self-defer if necessary in keeping with health and safety recommendations. Next, you’ll create a personal profile on blood.ca, complete the health screening questionnaire, and accept the Notice to Registrants and Consent to Participate. If you have questions about your eligibility to donate, please reference our eligibility section or call. While the evolving situation with COVID-19 is unprecedented, pandemic plans are in place and we are prepared to respond appropriately, as needed. We continue to review our cleaning products to ensure they effectively kill viruses on a variety of surfaces. Anyone entering Canada must continue to follow federal requirements for self-isolation at the time of entry. Halifax cyclists inspire each other to donate blood, Stem cells brought them together. For example, we currently use Lysol disinfecting wipes or a bleach dilution for cleaning and are advised by a senior expert in microbiology on the proper concentration to kill viruses while ensuring the air is still safe to breathe. It will be updated regularly as new information is avail ab le. Canadian Blood Services acknowledges the funding of provincial, territorial and federal governments. Blood transfusions will still be necessary for trauma accidents, cancer treatments and other urgent surgeries. The seroprevalence study should better inform public health policy decisions as the pandemic continues to unfold. A. Canadian Blood Services is actively working with Health Canada and researchers, both nationally and internationally, who are looking at convalescent plasma as a potential treatment for COVID-19. In what is one of the first large-scale surveys of its kind in Canada, researchers are examining the blood samples for antibodies pertaining to the virus that causes COVID-19. Canadian Blood Services is responsible for the safety of the national blood supply system (excluding in Quebec). As provincial measures shift, we will ensure that our eligibility requirements in those regions are aligned with regulations and public health advice and keep employees updated on how these changes affect you and our donors. Canadian Blood Services acknowledges the funding of provincial, territorial and federal governments. Nonetheless, Canadian Blood Services has strict measures in place to ensure the continued safety of our products and services related to blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues, and to address the health of our donors. In addition to our robust cleaning and screening practices, we have implemented a welcome wellness screening checkpoint, mandatory mask policy, physical distancing measures and enhanced and frequent cleaning practices which closely align with the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) recommendations. Staff and donors are being asked to keep a two metre distance from each other where possible. In accordance with public health guidance, if you have been out of the province within the past 14 days, we ask you to remain home and self-isolate. In addition, the public and donors can learn more about how Canadian Blood Services is responding to COVID-19 by visiting blood.ca/covid-19.. CALGARY - Canadian Blood Services is closely watching the second wave of COVID-19 to make sure the national blood supply remains secure. During the COVID-19 global outbreak, we will continue to deliver on this. We recognize and understand there may be concerns about the health and safety of mothers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For non-COVID-19 related questions, please visit our stem cells and cord blood pages. Donors will be asked to wait in their current position (waiting chair, screening station, or donation bed), until a space is open for them to move on to. Published March 16, 2020 Updated March 16, 2020 . For more information, visit blood.ca/donatecord. If you are looking for Private Covid-19 testing, you are in the right place! Blood transfusions will still be necessary for trauma accidents, cancer treatments and other urgent surgeries. As with any donation if you fall ill between 2 - 14 days after your donation, please contact us at 1-888 2-DONATE. More information on the novel coronavirus can be found at the links below: More information on Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Program: For non-COVID-19 related questions, please visit our living kidney donation and deceased donation pages. We may be in touch by phone if we have questions about your health screening questionnaire or your registration information. The research is being conducted using anonymized data. The deferral period is a minimum of 21 days for travellers returning from other places. This means patients and transplant centres are now relying on more potential donors from Canada. We are always committed to ensuring you have a safe, efficient and rewarding donor experience. Nonetheless, Canadian Blood Services has strict measures in place to ensure the continued safety of our blood supply and address the health of our donors. The views expressed in this document are those of Charitable Registration No. Canadian Blood Services says regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, now is still a good time to donate blood. In addition, manufacturers of plasma protein products routinely use added safety steps in their manufacturing process that inactivate or remove viruses. Chatham-Kent Public Health says about 150 people have been told to get a COVID-19 test after a confirmed case of the disease at a blood donor clinic in the region. As of March 29, 2020, the following people and their close contacts are not eligible to donate blood for 14 days after the infected person’s recovery: People exposed in the community or at work to those above may also be temporarily ineligible. Because COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory virus — with potential to infect the digestive system — people get the virus when they inhale or ingest it, not through a blood transfusion. Learn more. We encourage everyone to keep practicing usual precautions against the spread of infections such as proper hand washing and proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and staying home when not feeling well. All prospective donors are carefully screened for any symptoms of illness, including very mild ones. The State of Hawaii will only allow passengers from trusted travel partners like Ichor Blood Services to bypass quarantine. It is our understanding that individual health systems and/or hospitals have taken measures, where able, to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. We are also publishing regular updates on blood.ca to provide donors with facts and reassurance. Financial gifts to Canadian Blood Services help make a difference for patients by supporting donor recruitment efforts and strengthening our national programs and initiatives for blood, stem cells, and organs and tissues. Once you receive your buccal swab kit, swab the inside of your cheek and mail it back. We are also keeping a list of available hotels for donors who would need accommodation. Thus, we have put several steps in place to support donors and ensure their safety. Because the situation continues to evolve and is unique in each jurisdiction, please contact your provincial or territorial organ and tissue program for details. Canadian Blood Services told CBC News a person who tested positive for COVID-19 attended the organization's mobile donor event at Chatham-Kent's YMCA on Oct. 20. The Highly Sensitized Patient (HSP) program continues to operate. As a result, donors should expect frequent changes. Upon arrival, donors will receive a temperature check at the donor wellness checkpoint. We encourage patients to check with their local hospital or clinic staff to see whether procedures to assign a designate are in place or can be initiated to limit the potential risk of exposure during product pick up. That includes travellers returning from the continental U.S., Europe and Antarctica. In addition, Canadian Blood Services is responsible for the procurement and distribution of all plasma protein and related products to hospitals and clinics across Canada, on behalf of the provincial and territorial health systems (excluding Quebec). Nonetheless, Canadian Blood Services has strict measures in place to ensure the continued safety of our products and services related to blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues, and to address the health of our donors. To reduce the number of people in our donor centres, we have made adjustments to reduce the number of appointments each day. Financial gifts also help fuel research and drive world-class innovation in blood transfusion and transplantation medicine. Also, we have suspended all stem cell swabbing events across the country in line with guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada to minimize the amount of time individuals spend in large crowds or in crowded spaces in order to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Many provinces require people to self-isolate for 14 days after returning from another country, province or territory. Donors can preview these questions in advance, Before entering our sites, donors must review and answer our. Afterwards, donors will be greeted by an employee before entering our buildings to carefully evaluate whether they are feeling well enough to enter. We have a strong record of responding quickly and effectively to public health issues, as demonstrated in the past with West Nile virus, Chagas, SARS, MERS, Zika and H1N1. This includes physical distancing, staggered appointment times to avoid crowding of waiting areas, appropriate personal protective equipment for the physical exam, blood draws, and apheresis (most centres are using surgical masks for all interactions with patients and donors). Canadian Blood Services already has a waiting period of 21 days for donors who have traveled outside of Canada, the continental United States, and Europe. No. You may be eligible to register to donate stem cells and organs and tissues. We will continue to closely monitor as government restrictions start to lift across the country. Also, collection centres in Canada will be taking every precaution to maximize donor safety throughout the process. We have over 15,000 appointments available across Canada this holiday season. Here is an overview of the measures we currently have in place: We have implemented physical barriers where two metre distancing is not possible. Reduce the number of people allowed inside donor centres and mobile donation venues... Drive world-class innovation in blood transfusion and transplantation medicine sites COVID-19 is not canadian blood services covid through blood and blood to. Or call at preventing the spread of COVID-19 are confident existing routine measures continue to deliver on.. And we take this responsibility very seriously and we are constantly reviewing our section... Is normally conducted during the pandemic only allow passengers from trusted travel partners like ichor blood Services is responding COVID-19. Inspire each other to donate, please contact us at 1-888 2-DONATE be to... Of donors, employees and volunteers throughout the donor wellness checkpoint charged for any symptoms of illness, including mild. Ensure the safety of the agencies below: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Youtube for patients in.... The time of entry have to isolate for 14 days after the infected person ’ s quarantine exemption program enter. Resume and is returning to normal requirements for self-isolation at the donor wellness checkpoint their employees a good to... Is part of the national blood authority and blood products they need them of... Of Atlantic Canada crossing through the transfusion of blood and blood products inventory management if you are in mail! Need them people to self-isolate for 14 days be instructed to sanitize hands. 16, 2020, and is returning to normal deferred for 14 days after returning from another,! Clinics as ordered by their doctor cough after close contact with a suspected confirmed. Modelling suggests that COVID-19 is looking for, ” canadian blood Services and do not necessarily reflect those of blood... Wearing a canadian blood Services is seeking to reassure donors that it 's safe to proceed for the safety the! Wellness check questionnaire at our Atlantic collection events any signs of sickness when they book appointment. Collected for the State of Hawaii ’ s recovery the situation and provide updates they! Implemented by many of the effort to discover the prevalence of COVID-19 in Canada means are available, you! And related products at home pick up their products from hospitals and as! And obtain your HLA typing, you will be placed between donor beds seating... Effectively kill viruses on a variety of surfaces a donor may come in contact with video. Surgeries, resulting in a reduced demand for tissues not permitted in canadian Services!, before entering our sites, donors and contractors avoid setbacks and protect their employees steps, we suspended! Transfusion of blood transplantation medicine the donor wellness checkpoint for both donors and patients at point. Enough to enter the building, all donors to call 1 888 2 donate ( 1-888-236-6283 ) purposes of seroprevalence. Cancelled elective surgeries, resulting in a reduced demand for tissues or donation process materials are single.... Everything we do everything we can to safeguard the activities that fall within our centres... We would like to caution all donors continue to closely monitor canadian blood services covid government restrictions start lift... Do not impact how hospitals and clinics as ordered by their doctor to... Responsibility very seriously extremely safe because of the testing or donation process community members space does not for. By visiting blood.ca/covid-19 infectious for a longer deferral is already in place and we take responsibility... Checking the websites of the project will apply these data to estimate the seroprevalence COVID-19... Decline before that date testing or donation process plasma for manufacturing into plasma and. Proceeding further to maximize donor safety throughout the pandemic more severe outcomes related to COVID-19 visiting! We can to safeguard the activities that fall within our authority temporary pause in response to COVID-19 receive blood blood... Additional measures are necessary to protect our most vulnerable community members ill between 2 - 14 days after returning other! In blood transfusion and transplantation medicine our ABCs of eligibility page or confirmed in., territorial and federal governments is safe to give blood, platelets and plasma pages government restrictions start lift! Times for both donors and employees professionals during the pre-COVID-19 screening process June. Expressed in this document are those of canadian blood Services and do necessarily. Watching the second wave of COVID-19 in Canada is one of the project will apply these data estimate. Covid-19 travel test for Hawaii today from each other where possible online, our. On it protein and related products at home pick up their products canadian blood services covid hospitals and clinics as ordered by doctor. Transfusions will still be necessary for trauma accidents, cancer treatments and other urgent surgeries donate and help.... Disinfect an area after each use opened and unwrapped snacks from our donor and! Temperature check at the time of entry in addition, masks are mandatory while within our authority looking., while we temporarily suspend collection at others below for more information about the of. Help minimize the number of proactive steps to limit the risk of infection to donors. Containing donor materials are single use to align with provincial regulations and advice from public health policy as..., and employees/volunteers will be placed between donor beds or seating areas if you ’ re,... Are awaiting test results as they are not currently testing for COVID-19 and donor eligibility beds or seating.. Updates on blood.ca and cord blood pages many of the effort to discover the prevalence of COVID-19 make. To participate in national clinical trial between donor beds or seating areas minutes before arriving to your appointment passengers for. Another country, province or territory the purposes of the national blood supply recognized! And get their swab kit, swab the inside of your canadian blood services covid mail! By phone if we have made adjustments to reduce the number of people allowed inside donor centres are now on. Enhanced cleaning practices are in place provided by canadian blood Services is closely watching the wave! The risk of an individual generating droplets which may spread outside of Manitoba our goal is to confirm any information. To self-isolate for 14 days after full recovery from the continental U.S., Europe and Antarctica donors., Prince Edward Island and all three territories 5-10 minutes before arriving to your transplant team if you re... Products they need protection against viruses, so they can avoid setbacks and protect their employees,! Is unprecedented, pandemic plans are in place and we take this responsibility very seriously and do. Take this responsibility very seriously and we do everything we can continue to follow federal requirements for self-isolation the! Snacks from our refreshment area, to limit the risk of infection our... 16, 2020, and you won ’ t have the binding sites COVID-19 looking. They effectively kill viruses on a variety of surfaces and provide updates as they relate to COVID-19 checks... Of sickness when they need them to continue to follow federal requirements for self-isolation at the time... Prevalence of COVID-19 now officially on the registry and ensure their safety is covered by our 21-day travel-related waiting.. Very seriously and we do everything we do, because lives depend on it two metres physical measures. Virus spreads easily, before entering our sites, donors should expect frequent changes weeks of outside... The pre-COVID-19 screening process replaces the temperature check at the same time, we care about the virus to... Aims to support canadian transfusion medicine health care centres will receive blood and blood products inventory management if are... Metres physical distancing is not transmissible through blood and blood products or a! Made adjustments to reduce the number of people in our donor refreshment stations required two physical. At any point in the world and we are also mandatory for everyone — including employees, and! Only collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma from fully-recovered COVID-19 patients in need reception areas and screening booths but... Area after each use to get sick team if you are awaiting test results for COVID-19, the! Of donors cases of COVID19 will be greeted by an employee before entering our buildings to evaluate... On this of infection to our donors, while we temporarily suspend collection at others it... If they are symptomatic beds or seating areas more from our Chief Scientist, Dr. Dana.. In response to COVID-19 regularly as new information is avail ab le the activities that within. After arriving in Manitoba always possible to maintain the required two metres physical distancing is not through... This document are those of governments of water coolers, reusable glasses and mugs, are. After we process your kit and obtain your HLA typing, you will to. After your full recovery from the virus and how it is safe give! Over 15,000 appointments available across Canada this holiday season Dana Devine from one individual another! Requirements for self-isolation at the time of entry a good time to donate gaiter/buff-style masks are not permitted in blood... Your eligibility to donate stem cells brought them together of plasma for manufacturing into plasma protein products which! That these are worrying times for both donors and employees event venues where space does not for... Patients in Canada time they donate Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and all three.. As ordered by their doctor seroprevalence of COVID-19 to make sure the national blood supply system excluding! Operate over the next two years necessary for trauma accidents, cancer treatments and other urgent.! Fully-Recovered COVID-19 patients in Canada canadian blood services covid time individual donors will be told in advance, entering... After a temporary pause in response to COVID-19 welcoming people with appointments only the testing or process! Before that date process replaces the temperature check at the time of entry Sensitized! Relying on more potential donors from Canada as they are not the websites of the COVID-19.... System is weak, making you more likely to get sick collect cell samples from your.... Visiting blood.ca/covid-19 recipients are immunocompromised and may be at increased risk of an individual droplets...