The Belize Red Cross-San Pedro branch (BRCSPB) has organized a blood drive for Wednesday, February 10th, at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II to collect convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients. This is due to the low supply at the blood bank on the mainland. The emergency drive will take place from 8AM to 11AM, and anyone able to donate will need to make an appointment by calling or messaging 615-4300 or 614-9115.
According to the organizers, the blood drive is also opened to non-COVID-19 recovered patients who may need to help someone (relative or friend) without traveling to the mainland. For the blood drive tomorrow, donors will be tended to in pairs at half-hour intervals.
Ashty Denninson at BRCSPB stressed that it is important to donate blood as it saves lives in emergencies. She said that this blood, also known as convalescent plasma, can help those currently hospitalized with COVID-19. The plasma from recovered patients is said to have antibodies that can help assist with recovery.
Dennison has confirmed a few persons set to donate blood, but they need additional donors as it takes around four bags of the vital liquid to help one patient. She also reminded islanders that their next blood drive, which will be an all-day event, and open to any person able to donate, will occur on February 27th, 2021, at the Polyclinic.
