The Health June/July 2021 | Page 20

Let us not let Covid-19 hinder our efforts to help those who are in need of blood

20

THE HEALTH | JUNE-JULY , 2021

| Hot Topic |

Covid-19 and blood transfusion

Let us not let Covid-19 hinder our efforts to help those who are in need of blood

THE EMERGENCE of the SARS- COV-2 virus is like a tsunami to healthcare services globally .

The reduction in the capacity of intensive care services which often hits the headline is definitely not the only problem faced by the healthcare providers . A shortage at the blood bank is one of the problems that arises from this pandemic .
The Malaysia National Blood Bank has reported a 20 per cent to 30 per cent reduction in blood supply compared to the pre-pandemic era .
The reduction is attributed to the fact that organising blood donation campaigns during this pandemic is definitely more challenging than before . Other reasons could be the public ’ s concern over the risks of contracting the Covid-19 virus .
So , what are the efforts to reduce the risk of transmission ?
All blood donation booths are now equipped with screening counters which screen through all donors . Potential donors are screened for history of potential exposure to Covid-19 within the last 14 days , body temperature and lastly , Covid-19 related symptoms .
Those who are deemed at risk would be refrained from donating blood .
Ensuring safety
How about those who are carrying the virus but remain asymptomatic ? Well , as for now there is no case reported globally on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus through blood transfusion .
Based on a study conducted by the French national blood service , although the transmission via blood products cannot be totally excluded , the presence of SARS- CoV-2 virus in the blood for asymptomatic individuals is extremely scarce .
Even if it is detected , the virus level is too low and therefore not infectious . Due to this reason , prior testing for Covid -19 is not required for a donor .
SEPSIS ALERT
BY DR SUSAN LOO POOI SAN
AND ASSOC PROF DR TAN TOH LEONG
However , to ensure safety , donors are advised to report to the blood bank if they experience any Covid-19 related symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19 within 14 days after a blood donation .
The blood of these donors will be discarded as soon as the blood bank receives notification .
As for now , more than 500,000 Malaysians have been infected by the SARS- COV-2 virus . The question arises whether these ex-Covid-19 patients can donate blood ?
The good news is , YES ! Ex-Covid patients are allowed to donate blood 14 days after they have recovered from the disease . Although the SARS COV-2 virus may be detected in the upper respiratory specimen for up to 12 weeks , the infectivity of the SARS COV-2 declines after the onset of the symptoms .
Blood donation a community responsibility
In fact , in cases of mild to moderate Covid-19 duplicate-competent virus is not recovered after 10 days from the onset of symptoms .
Does transfusion of blood products from ex-Covid-19 donors confer immunity towards SARS-COV-2 virus ? At this point of time , there is no robust evidence to support
this theory . The benefits and risks are yet to be found out with more clinical research in the future .
All in all , blood donation is a community responsibility . Let us not let Covid-19 hinder our efforts to help those who are in need . With the full adherence to standard operating procedures by both the public and organising committee , the risks of contracting SARS-COV-2 can definitely be reduced . — The Health
Dr Susan Loo Pooi San is Emergency Physician , Teluk Intan Hospital and member of Malaysian Sepsis Alliance ( MySepsis ) while Associate Professor Dr Tan Toh Leong is a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Emergency Physician at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia . He is also President and Founder of MySepsis .
All blood donation booths are now equipped with screening counters which screen through all donors . Potential donors are screened for history of potential exposure to Covid-19 within the last 14 days , body temperature and lastly , Covid-19 related symptoms .”