American Red Cross Issues Statement On Coronavirus

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, and preparing to carry out our live-saving mission in the event of any possible disruptions.
The American Red Cross is also supporting government agencies to assist evacuees who have been quarantined after returning to the U.S. from overseas. When requested, our role is to provide blankets, comfort kits, snacks, stuffed animals and other support items.
We will continue to work with U.S. officials and partners to determine what support may be needed in the coming days and weeks as the situation continues to evolve. In particular, we will continue to collaborate with AABB, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety and availability of the U.S. blood supply for patients in need.
It is important to note that there have been no reported blood transfusion transmissions of respiratory viruses including coronaviruses and influenza-like viruses worldwide at this time. While the risk of contracting any coronavirus through a blood transfusion is extremely low, the American Red Cross has implemented new blood donation deferrals out of an abundance of caution following the outbreak. We are now asking that individuals postpone their donation for 28 days following:
Travel to Chinaand its special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau,
Diagnosis of COVID-19, contact with a person who has the virus, or is suspected to have it.
We encourage healthy, eligible individuals to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment at redcrossblood.org to help maintain a sufficient blood supply and avoid any potential shortages. Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood. The need for blood is constant, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need of transfusions.
Overseas, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are supporting communities in preparing for the virus and protecting families from getting sick. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are educating communities about how to mitigate the spread of this virus, offering community-based health and hygiene promotion, providing access to basic services, and fighting rumors and stigma.