Coronavirus Safety Measures
If you have questions regarding COVID 19 travel restrictions, please contact RIBC medical services at medicalstaff@ribc.org or call 401-453-8307.
Safety Protocols
CTBC is committed to the safety of our donors, employees and blood recipients.
There is no data or evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by blood transfusion. In fact, there have been no reported cases of transfusion-transmission for any respiratory virus, including this coronavirus.
It is safe to donate blood, and we encourage healthy individuals to donate so that blood is available for those patients who need it. We are taking extra precautions to prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. These are some of the measures we are taking to keep staff and donors safe:
These are some of the ways we are keeping donors and staff safe:
- Face coverings are optional for all staff and donors.
- Requiring staff who have Coronavirus related symptoms to notify their supervisor and remain out of work until they have been cleared by Human Resources to return.
- Requiring all donors to read applicable signage regarding travel, exposure, and diagnoses of coronavirus.
- Donors may not donate if they have been told to self-quarantine due to exposure risk, including travel. We follow current State and CDC recommendations for travel.
- Installing clear barriers at our registration areas.
- Providing new, unused pens to each donor for the pre-screening questionnaire.
- Asking all donors to book appointments, but walk-ins are accepted if availability permits at the time of arrival.
- All mobile donor coaches are equipped with air purifiers and are disinfected after use with electrostatic spraying technology.
Donating blood is not considered a social gathering. FEMA designates blood centers as essential to patient care and emergency preparedness.
Our Quality Assurance/Compliance Department and management team continue to regularlyreview practices at our mobile blood drives and donor centers. If you have concerns, please email medicalstaff@ribc.org.
CTBC only collects blood from individuals who are healthy and feeling well at the time of donation – and who meet other eligibility requirements.
To protect our staff and donors, CTBC is asking donors to self-screen before coming in to donate. Please do not present to donate if you have:
- a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing)
- have been told to self-quarantine due to exposure risk, including travel. We follow current State and CDC travel recommendations.
- been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 until 14 days after your illness has resolved
If you are unsure whether to donate, or if you have donated recently and you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or you test positive for COVID-19, please contact our medical team via email at medicalstaff@ribc.org or 401-453-8307.
Please be aware that we do NOT test for COVID-19. You should contact your health care provider if you want to be tested.
If you are feeling healthy and well and meet general eligibility guidelines, please schedule your donation now to help ensure a stable blood supply amid coronavirus concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I donate after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you received an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna, or an adenovirus vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson’s, you may donate blood, platelets, or regular plasma immediately after vaccination as long as you are feeling well and all other donor criteria are met.
- Are face masks being worn by donors and donor center staff?
Face masks are optional for donors and staff.
- How does CTBC determine if people are eligible to donate blood?
We ask if you are feeling well and healthy on the day of donation. Our health questionnaire and laboratory screening are designed to identify donors who may be at risk for transfusion transmitted infections.
- Can I donate blood if I’ve traveled recently?
If you have questions regarding COVID 19 travel restrictions, please contact medical services at medicalstaff@ribc.org or call 800.283.8385.
- What measures are being taken to make sure donor center is virus-free?
We ask blood donors and our own staff to stay home if they are not feeling well. Our blood collection sites are disinfected frequently, and we are taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19 as per CDC recommendations.
- What is CTBC doing in response to Coronavirus?
We are actively monitoring the situation along with our local partners and will follow the most up to date guidance from the CDC and City and State Departments of Health as the situation evolves. We take the health of our donors and staff very seriously and always follow strict guidelines to prevent the spread of infection.
- Can I catch Coronavirus by donating blood?
No. Donating blood is safe. We always use new, sterile needles that are discarded after use.
- Do you test blood before it goes to recipients?
All donated blood, even donations from repeat donors, is tested for blood type, hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, and other transfusion transmissible diseases.
We do NOT test for COVID-19. Please contact your health care provider if you want to be tested.
- Can you catch Coronavirus from a blood transfusion?
There is no evidence that coronaviruses are transmitted by blood transfusion. Furthermore, pre-donation screening procedures are designed to prevent donations from people who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illnesses.
- Why is it important to donate now?
It’s important for everyone to donate today so that we can build up a strong blood supply. Blood is a critical component of patient care and emergency preparedness because it’s perishable and the supply must be constantly replenished. The blood that’s on the shelf now is the blood that will save lives if there’s an emergency.
- Will we run out of blood?
If future blood drives are canceled, our community’s blood supply will drop. We need to build up our reserves now so that we have enough blood available to withstand any temporary shortages and help those in need.
- What can I do to protect myself from Coronavirus?
Standard practices for cold and flu season are the best way to keep our community healthy. This includes staying home when you’re sick, frequently washing your hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with your elbow, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or face after touching public surfaces. Visit this link for videos and reminders on proper hand hygiene.
- Can I donate blood while I’m sick?
No, as always, you are not eligible to donate if you’re experiencing a fever, cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms.
- Can I catch the virus from another donor at a donor center or blood drive?
First, we ask blood donors and our own staff to stay home if they are not feeling well. Our staff are trained in universal precautions to help prevent the risk of spreading infectious agents. We are also regularly cleaning public surfaces. Second, we encourage healthy individuals to donate so that blood is available for those patients who need it. Our blood collection sites are disinfected frequently, and we are taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19 as per CDC recommendations. We screen our donors for infectious disease risks and let donors know in advance that they should not come to the blood collection site to donate if they have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing), you have been told to self-quarantine due to exposure risk, including travel, or been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 until 14 days after the illness has resolved.
- Can I bring my child, friend or family with me when I donate?
Normally, we welcome donors to bring a family member or friend even if they are not donating. Right now, we are asking that only donors come into the centers as we are trying to manage the space between donors.
- Will giving blood weaken my immune system?
There is no evidence blood donation weakens the immune system. Blood donation is needed to keep the supply available to patients who need it. To best prepare for your donation get sleep, eat a good meal, and drink fluids. Visit https://www.ctblood.org/prep for more information on preparing for your blood donation.