Rhode Island declares ‘blood emergency’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Blood Center announced a “blood emergency” on Monday.

The center said that school breaks and increased travel have “caused an alarming drop in donations.”

Data shared by America’s Blood Center showed that only 3% of the U.S. population donates blood.

“The blood supply currently stands at a 2-to-3-day level; platelets along with types O and B- are at just a 1-to-2-day supply. This is well below the ideal inventory of 5-7 days,” said the center.

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