PEOPLE in Hampshire are being called on by the NHS to donate blood as usual during the coronavirus outbreak.

Although stock levels of blood remain "good", it has been revealed that donations have now dropped.

The health service says extra safety measures are being put in place, such as extra cleaning and triaging everyone who arrives so that only people with no risk factors enter the donation area.

While there is no evidence of any type of coronavirus being transmitted through blood donation - according to the NHS - no blood donation services are testing donations for the virus.

Due to the ongoing certainty of COVID-19, the donation service located at Coxford Road, Southampton, is now urging people to help them maintain stocks.

An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said: “We need people in Hampshire who are fit and healthy to keep donating as normal during the coronavirus outbreak. We've put extra safety measures in place and safety is always our number one priority.

"We’re now doing extra cleaning and this week we’ve started triaging everyone who arrives so only people with no risk factors can enter the donation area.

“A lot of people have called us asking if sessions are still going ahead. We need them to know that our sessions and donor centres are still open and that travel to a blood donation sessions is essential for the NHS.

"Blood donation is a reason to do something amazing. Blood donation saves lives.

“Donations have dropped though our stock levels are currently still good because hospitals are cancelling routine operations.

"We need people to keep donating to make sure we can keep supplying the blood hospitals need in the coming weeks and months. Patients and doctors are relying on us to be there.”

To make an appointment to donate, call 0300 123 23 23, download the NHS Give Blood app, or visit www.blood.co.uk.