TULSA, Okla. — The need for blood is now at an all time high as the Coronavirus pandemic has left the country with a depleted supply.
Oklahoma State Senator Joe Newhouse has partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to host three mobile blood drives.
Blood banks are seeing a shortage in supply, since the blood drives that are normally held at schools and businesses have had to close their doors.
These types of blood drives contributed to more than 80% of their blood donations.
With the high number of cancellations they're seeing, they're expecting to receive 86,000 fewer blood donations.
This is a critical time for the organization in order to keep helping to those who need it the most.
The first mobile blood drive is at Lowes in Bixby near 111th Steet and Memorial from 10 am to 3 pm on Monday.
The next drive is on April 22, at Cedar Ridge Christian Church in Broken Arrow and back at Lowe's on May 6.
OBI has taken extra precaution, increasing their cleaning methods, decontaminating work and common areas and equipment frequently.
The mobile centers have adapted to allow for social distancing and the staff and donors will also have their temperatures taken before starting work and entering the facility.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said giving blood is safe to do as there have not been any cases of COVID-19 being transmitted through blood transfusion.
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