Winter weather and infections cause blood donations to plummet

The winter weather and the wave of infections have led to a significant drop in blood donations in Saxony, Berlin and Brandenburg. "The situation is getting worse, the supply situation is at a very low level," said Kerstin Schweiger from the DRK Blood Donor Service North-East on request. In particular, the blood platelets can only be kept for around four days and need to be replenished continuously.

She appealed to all healthy people to donate blood now. "Now is the perfect time for first-time donors to take part in this life-saving and solidarity campaign," emphasized Schweiger.

Dates canceled due to icy conditions and fewer donors

The wintry conditions with snow and icy roads had caused blood donation dates to be canceled in many places. "And where they did take place, significantly fewer people came because of the slippery roads," explained Schweiger.

In addition, the high wave of infections is resulting in fewer donations. People who are ill are not allowed to donate blood. And anyone who has taken antibiotics has to take four weeks off anyway.