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The NHS has issued a desperate appeal for blood donations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The public are being urged to continue donating their blood, despite the lockdown measures that were announced on Monday night.

Give Blood have reminded donors that blood donations are "essential" to the NHS and vulnerable patients.

The appeal comes as figures showed a 15 per cent drop in whole blood donations since restrictions on movement came into force following Boris Johnson's address to the nation, reports the Daily Mail.

However, the government have confirmed they consider giving blood a form of essential travel, with the NHS adding that that they need "blood supply now and in the coming weeks more than ever".

Additional safety measures have also been put in place for donors across blood donation centres, which include spreading waiting room and donation chairs further apart.

A statement on the official Give Blood website reads: "Our centres are open and you can still come to give blood. We have followed government guidelines to put special safety measures in place for social distancing.

"Some things may have changed, but there will be the same warm welcome.

"Please keep your appointment if you can, or make a new one for the future. Coming to give blood is considered essential travel for the NHS.

"You will not get a coronavirus test by coming to give blood because there is no evidence of transmission through blood donation."



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For the latest guidance on coronavirus from Health Protection Scotland, click here.

