COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Are Hoxworth donor centers open?
Yes, Hoxworth donor centers continue to operate as normal at this time. Public Health Officials have determined that blood donation is an essential act. Masks are required at all Hoxworth locations.
To find a Hoxworth donor center near you, visit our page listing all locations.
Is it safe to donate blood?
As always, Hoxworth Blood Center continues to use sterile methods for collecting blood and platelets from volunteer blood donors.
The 2019 n-CoV poses no additional risk to blood donors for the mere fact of being blood donors, either during the donation process or from attending organized blood drives. The 2019 n-CoV also poses no additional risk to patients receiving blood transfusions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said in general, respiratory viruses are not known to be transmitted by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases of transfusion-transmission of any coronavirus worldwide.
What is Hoxworth doing to ensure donor safety?
All of us at Hoxworth know that these are unprecedented times; please rest assured that the safety of our donors is a top priority as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure a safe and comfortable donation process.
Masks are required for all donors, volunteers and staff at any Hoxworth donor center or blood drive. When you visit a donor center or blood drive, all Hoxworth staff that come in contact with donors will be wearing masks and gloves. Gloves will be changed out regularly. All solid surfaces are wiped down and sanitized between each donor. Every person entering a donor center, whether it be a staff member, volunteer or blood donor, is having their temperatures checked. Any employee or volunteer with a temperature of 99.5 or higher will be asked to go home immediately.
Additionally, we are practicing social distancing and have rearranged chairs in our donor centers to prevent direct contact between donors. We also have the ability to have donors wait in their cars following registration, and we can then text or call them when it is their turn to donate.
Can I get tested for COVID-19 at Hoxworth?
Hoxworth Blood Center is not a COVID-19 or Antibody testing center. Please contact your primary care physician for information about getting tested for COVID-19.
Why the need for blood?
While the rest of us are practicing social distancing, patients in local hospitals will still need blood products. Trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, sickle cell patients, and individuals undergoing treatment for cancer will still require transfusions of blood and platelets--and that is why it is critical for Hoxworth, and other blood centers across the country, to maintain a stable blood supply. By donating blood in the coming weeks, you will ensure that there is blood on the shelf for someone who needs it.
Who can donate at this time?
Healthy, eligible individuals are asked to donate blood at this time to support our blood supply. Do not attempt to donate if you are experiencing active cold or flu symptoms, or have had contact with anyone with these symptoms. Please do not attempt to enter our donor centers if you have been told by a health professional not to leave your home because you have had an exposure to COVID-19. If you are feeling ill, you are asked to self-quarantine and contact your primary care physician.
Do I need an appointment to donate?
Appointments are HIGHLY encouraged at this time. Scheduled appointments will help spread the donor flow more evenly and help maintain social distancing measures. To schedule a donation, call (513) 451-0910 or visit our Donor Portal.
More Information on COVID-19
For more information about COVID-19 safety, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html