The national blood supply has fallen 35% over the past month, prompting the American Red Cross to declare a severe blood shortage.
The nonprofit issued the warning Jan. 20, saying flu season and harsh winter weather across the country are contributing to a significant drop in donations. Last month, winter weather disrupted 400 blood drives, with thousands of donations going uncollected. This is three times higher than the number of blood drives affected during the same time last year.
“This time of year is always challenging for blood collection — but right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts,” Courtney Lawrence, MD, executive medical director for the Red Cross, said in a news release. “Every person’s blood donation can help save lives — plus you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.”
The Red Cross warning comes as hospitals nationwide continue to feel the strain of an intense flu season that has been record-setting by several key measures.
Earlier this month, New York reported the highest number of flu-related hospitalizations in a single week in state history. Nationally, more than 27,000 patients with lab-confirmed influenza were hospitalized during the week ending Jan. 10, down from nearly 40,000 the previous week, according to the CDC. Some hospitals have postponed elective procedures to preserve capacity, with pediatric intensive care units in states such as Michigan reporting an influx of patients requiring advanced care.
The latest CDC data shows flu activity has declined or remained stable for two consecutive weeks, though levels remain high and well above baseline. Health officials are continuing to monitor for a possible second uptick following the winter holidays.
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