NEW YORK (PIX11) — A major shortage in blood in hospitals has prompted a blood emergency to be declared by the New York Blood Center and the New Jersey Blood Services on Tuesday.
The overall blood supply has dropped to less than a two-day supply, according to both blood banks. Type O blood is the most critical type used in emergency care and has less than a one-day supply left.
Discover more local reporting on our homepage
A blood emergency is issued when the available supply has dropped below safe levels to meet routine and urgent patient needs.
Blood donations are down by nearly 15%, or roughly around 4,500 fewer donations than needed to meet the demand of hospitals in New York and New Jersey…