Blood Supply Rebounds From Low Levels
The nation’s blood supply, dangerously low immediately before the Jan. 17 Northridge earthquake, is nearly back to normal levels, officials said Tuesday.
In Los Angeles, blood banks now have an 8.4-day supply on hand, well above the one- to two-day supply available during much of the Christmas holiday period, said Terrie Hinz of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Red Cross.
Elsewhere, most cities have a five- to six-day supply, about normal, although Washington has only a two-day supply and has issued an emergency call for blood donors, said Marcia Lane of the American Assn. of Blood Banks.
Although supplies are adequate, Hinz noted that there is a continuing need for donors in Los Angeles, especially for people with Type O blood.
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