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Carnival, coronavirus, influenza: Medical Center - University of Freiburg blood donation center records dramatic drop in donations

Several factors are currently leading to a sharp drop in blood donations. These include the Shrove Tuesday vacations, the current flu epidemic and the effects of the novel coronavirus. "We are currently forced to postpone scheduled operations on patients with blood group 0 if possible," says Dr. Markus Umhau, Medical Director of the Blood Donation Center at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "As there is a shortage of blood reserves everywhere, the blood donation services cannot help each other out. We are therefore appealing to people in Freiburg and the surrounding area to come and donate blood." In March, donors can also combine the helpful with the useful. On Mondays and Tuesdays from 11.30 a.m., a delicious soup is served after the donation.

Who can donate and who can't?

Due to the current situation, additional reasons for deferral apply. Travel returnees from China and northern Italy (north of Tuscany) as well as people who have had contact with coronavirus patients and suspected cases will be postponed from donating blood for four weeks.

Donors who have cured an infection without fever may donate blood again after one week. After a febrile infection with a body temperature of more than 38.5 degrees Celsius or an influenza infection, a deferral period of four weeks applies.

Additional information can be found on the website of the Blood Donation Center of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. If you have any further questions, please contact our blood donor doctors by telephone on: 0761 270-73350.

An identity card and, if possible, a vaccination certificate are required for every blood donation. Donors must be between 18 and 68 years old (first-time donors up to 60 years old). Men can donate blood every 8 weeks, women every 12 weeks.

Opening hours of the blood donation center:
Monday and Tuesday 8 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday 12 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday 8 am to 1 pm

Further information:

https://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/itg/blutspende/darf-ich-blut-spenden.html

Caption: Empty shelves in the blood donation center. This is why blood donors are urgently needed.
Copyright: Medical Center - University of Freiburg