The blood bank on Sunday issued a plea for donations as supplies are dangerously low, a health ministry bulletin said.
Due to a number of people being in self isolation and constant delays in blood donation appointments, as well as the overall climate surrounding covid, there has been a drastic reduction in the number of people donating blood.
At the same time, demand is at dangerously high levels and in fact amongst the highest ever recorded, the health ministry said.
Patients hospitalised with Covid-19 tend to have low haemoglobin and are thus in greater need for blood transfusions hence further increasing demand, the ministry added.
Going to donate blood is exempt from SMS requirements and thus people who donate will receive written confirmation they can show in case of a police check.
People who have been in contact with a confirmed case, who have come back from abroad or have Covid-19 symptoms are required to wait 14 days before donating blood.
People who have tested positive, including asymptomatic people must wait 21 days after testing positive, and seven days for after their last day of quarantine.
Individuals must wait 28 days after their first symptom and seven days after each Pfizer and Moderna jab. For the AstraZeneneca and Johnson&Johnson vaccine, people must wait 28 days before donating blood.
Donation points are as follows:
Nicosia: Engomi station
Monday – Wednesday: 7.30am – 8pm
Thursday: 7.30am – 6pm
Limassol: Ayios Georgios, Havouza
Monday – Wednesday: 7.30am – 8pm
Thursday: 7.30am – 6pm
Larnaca: donation point at Larnaca hospital’s new wing
Monday – Wednesday: 7.30am – 7pm
Thursday: 7.30am – 6pm
Paphos: Mesogis ‘Georgios Christou’ Cultural Centre
Monday – Wednesday: 7.30am – 7pm
Thursday: 7.30am – 3pm
Famagusa:
Monday: Liopetri Church 12pm – 5pm
Tuesday: Liopetri Church 7:30am – 7pm
Wednesday: Ayios Demetrios Spiritual Centre 7:30am – 7pm
Thursday: Ayios Demetrios Spiritual Centre 7:30am – 3pm
