A return to a somewhat normal summer as COVID-19 restrictions are eased is putting a strain on Canada's blood supply.
Several provinces have started lifting restrictions -- most notably Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan -- and demand is up as a result.
At the same time, Canadian Blood Services wasn't able to accommodate as many donors because of physical-distancing requirements at clinics, so the two balanced each other out.Canadian Blood Services operates a national inventory that allows products to be regularly shifted around the country to meet hospital and patient needs.
"We're only accepting appointments from donors. We're not accepting walk-ins in order to manage our physical distancing," Smith said. "It's more important for donors to fill the appointments for us." A Calgary vascular and trauma surgeon said operating rooms have been a lot busier in the last six weeks.
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