{"id":240237,"date":"2020-03-23T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/240237\/your-blood-is-still-needed-by-sanbs\/"},"modified":"2020-03-23T08:28:40","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T06:28:40","slug":"your-blood-is-still-needed-by-sanbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2020\/03\/23\/your-blood-is-still-needed-by-sanbs\/","title":{"rendered":"Your blood is still needed by SANBS amid Covid-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Germiston Blood Donor Centre, situated at Lambton Court Shopping Centre, is still open to accept blood donations amid the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

People who are healthy are still encouraged to donate blood at their nearest blood donor centre.<\/p>

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More stringent hygiene measures have been put in place with the Germiston centre having enough alcohol wipes to clean equipment and enough alcohol hand rubs for both donors and staff.<\/p>\n

Before donors enter the centre they will be screened for international visits and flu symptoms so they can be deferred before they enter the centre.<\/p>

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SANBS said that it has noted an influx of visits to its donor centres and several claims on social media about the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) providing testing for the coronavirus (Covid-19).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wish to state unequivocally that the SANBS does not conduct testing for coronavirus at our donor centres.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiagnostic tests for Covid-19 are not done on blood, but on throat swabs and sputum samples,\u201d said Dr Jackie Thomson, medical director of SANBS.<\/p>\n

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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

How to fight the spread of Covid-19<\/a><\/p>\n

Rest-a-While take steps to protect the elderly<\/a><\/h4>\n

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Testing is currently available at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for free.<\/p>\n

You can also get tested at Lancet Laboratories and at some National Health Laboratories Services (NHLS).<\/p>\n

The SANBS urges donors to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their fellow citizens.<\/p>\n

If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any clinical symptoms of infection (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and shortness of breath), you are encouraged to delay your donation until you are in good health.<\/p>\n

If you feel you are at risk, have come into contact with someone who has been infected or fear that you may have been infected with Covid-19, speak to your physician for advice.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, contact the toll-free NICD hotline on 0800 029 999 or 0800 111 132.<\/p>\n

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* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear reader,<\/p>\n

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as \u201cfake news\u201d) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.<\/p>\n

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za<\/a>) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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