The Red Cross is now testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. Ronnika McFall is a spokesperson with the American Red Cross.
“The American Red Cross began testing all blood, platelets and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, the antibody test is authorized by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.”
Test results will be available within 7 to 10 days through the Blood Donor App or donor portal at Red Cross Blood.org. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the agency has implemented a variety of additional safety procedures.
“Checking the temperatures of the staff, donors before entering the drive to make sure they are healthy, we’re providing hand sanitizer, we’re also following social distancing guidelines between donors,” McFall said. “We’re also ensuring that face masks and face coverings be worn by both staff and donors and it you have a face mask; the Red Cross will provide one for you, routinely disinfecting services and equipment in donor-touched areas, we’re wearing gloves and changing those gloves often.”
The Red Cross says due to an urgent need for blood, all eligible donors are urged to make an appointment to give via a variety of ways.
“If you are feeling well, please schedule an appointment to donate by using Red Cross Blood Donor App, you can visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
A positive antibody test does not confirm infection. List of area blood drives below.
Area Blood Drives:
Clarke
Athens
6/20/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
6/21/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
6/22/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
6/23/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas Street
6/23/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Madison
Danielsville
6/23/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Madison County Library, 1315 Highway 98 West
Clarke
Athens
6/24/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Stegeman Coliseum, Stegeman Coliseum, 100 Smith Street
6/24/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Jackson
Nicholson
6/24/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nicholson Community Center, 175 Lakeview Drive
Clarke
Athens
6/25/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
6/26/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
6/27/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
6/28/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
6/29/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Barrow
Winder
6/30/2020: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., City of Winder, 113 East Athens Street
Clarke
Athens
6/30/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas Street
6/30/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
