In line with regulatory changes announced by the National Department of Health, WCBS reduced the COVID-19 deferral criteria for blood donors from 14 to 7 days. As of 13 April 2022, blood donors who test positive for COVID-19 can resume donations 7 days following resolution of their symptoms, or from the date of their positive test result if they did not display any symptoms.
Donors who have been in high risk contact with someone who tested COVID-19 positive can resume donations 7 days from the date of their last contact with that person, provided they did not develop symptoms.
The deferral is enforced in the interest of donor and staff safety. There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through blood transfusions.
For more information about blood donor deferral criteria, contact Sr Kim Strutt, Manager – Donor Collections (Kims@wcbs.org.za).
