Superior blood drive, COVID testing Aug. 17

The American Red Cross is partnering with Superior Community Outreach to host a blood drive from noon-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17.

The location will be announced later.

The Red Cross is also testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies to help provide our valued donors insight into whether they may have been exposed to this coronavirus.

The antibody test is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.

Red Cross donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within 7 to 10 days through our Red Cross Blood Donor App or on our donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

The Red Cross currently faces an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. To ensure the health of staff and donors, precautions include:

- Checking temperatures of staff and donors before entering a drive to make sure they are healthy;

- Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering the drives, as well as throughout the donation process;

- Following social distancing between donors including entry, donation and refreshment areas;

- Ensuring face masks or coverings are worn by both staff and donors;

- Routinely disinfecting surfaces, equipment and donor-touched areas. Wearing gloves and changing gloves often;

- Using sterile collection sets and an aseptic scrub for every donation.

To schedule an appointment for the Superior Community Blood Drive Aug. 17, please call Mary Jo Berry at 822-2213.