Coronavirus and Blood Donations

Mayo is always looking for more people to donate blood.

But right now its asking anyone whose been to China or Hong Kong in the last 28 days to not donate

As of today - more than 73 thousand people are infected with novel coronavirus.

After 14 infected american evacuees from a cruise ship in japan arrived in the country on monday - there are now at least 29 confirmed cases in the u.s. as researchers work to contain the spread - kimt news 3's annalise johnson is finding out how the virus is impacting blood donations in our area.

Live she joins us now live in rochester - annalise?xxx blood donations-lintro-2 raquel - the hilton building houses the mayo clinic blood donor center.

Mayo is always looking for more people to donate blood - but right now - its asking anyone whose been to china or hong kong in the last 28 days to not donate.xxx blood donations-mpkg-1 lowerthird2line:coronavirus and blood donation rochester, mn the mayo clinic blood donor program is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus outbreak.

If you've traveled to or lived in china in the last 28 days - were diagnosed with or suspected of having the virus - or have lived with someone in the last 28 days who is or is suspected of being infected - do not donate blood.

Dr. justin kreuter - medical director of the blood donor program tells me this measure is precautionary... as coronaviruses are not known to be transmitted through blood transfusion.

Blood donations-mpkg-3 "we're taking a cautious approach and asking people to self defer 28 days but if you're someone whose receiving a blood transfusion here in the united states, there's not a concern that that blood transfusion is going to transmit coronavirus to you."

/ blood donations-ltag-2 less than 5% of eligible people donate blood.

Statistically - there's likely a very small number of people impacted by mayo clinic's request.

If you are healthy - consider donating.

Live in rochester- annalise johnson kimt news 3.

/ / / blood donations-tag-2 thank you annalise.

The novel coronavirus causes mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever - cough - and shortness of breath.

/ it's an effort