COVID-19

Avoiding Supply Chain Disruptions due to COVID-19

As an essential health care service provider, the American Red Cross must remain operational. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Red Cross has developed protocols to keep donors and staff safe and maintain continuity of operations. We have provided uninterrupted support of our clients research and commercial needs throughout this challenging period. We continue to be in regular contact with regulators to monitor any changes, and we follow FDA, AABB, and FACT guidance related to the collection of HCT/P products.

There is currently no data or evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by blood transfusion or transfer of HCT/Ps. Thus, aside from the additional screening measures to identify and defer potential donors who may have a COVID-19 infection, the collection of clinical-grade Leukopaks has not been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure continuity of life-saving products and services during the pandemic, we acted quickly in early March 2020 to implement a standardized response plan and protocols at all our collection sites nationwide. This robust and dynamic approach ensures that we maintain the availability of repeat or unique donor raw material and allows for continued flexibility to support the development and clinical manufacture of allogeneic and autologous cell therapies through this unforeseen time.

Five Critical Components Help Drive Our Continued Success

Screening During Donor Scheduling

The following screening questions are asked:

In the past 28 days, have you had any symptoms of COVID-19 or been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 infection?
In the past 28 days, have you had a positive diagnostic test (for example, nasal swab test) for COVID-19 but you never developed symptoms?
In the past 28 days, have you cared for, lived with, or otherwise had close contact with individuals with or suspected of having COVID-19 infection?
You are currently instructed to quarantine for any reason.

If donor responds yes to any of these questions, they will be deferred from scheduling collection for 28 days

Screening and Mask Policy at Site Entrance

Implemented safety and health improvements to protect our employees, patients, and donors with guidance from AABB and the CDC:

Wearing a mask at the Red Cross facilities is now optional unless masking is required by local law or regulation. The Red Cross will graciously accommodate mask requests from donors where close interaction occurs
Social distancing is no longer required

Pre-Collection Donor Guidance

Prior to collection, donors are provided guidelines* to postpone their collection procedure for 28 days if:

They have been diagnosed with positive testing or suspected of having COVID-19 with or without symptoms in the past 28 days
They have cared for, lived with, or otherwise had close contact with an individual(s) diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 in the past 28 days

*These guidelines are in accordance with the FDA and AABB guidance related to collection of HCT/P products as well as FACT

Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures

Implemented enhanced disinfecting in accordance with CDC guidelines:

Increased frequency of cleaning activities, to include donor bed, equipment and other surfaces in the collection area after each donor
Cleaning of common areas—donor screening, refreshment and restrooms

Mitigation for COVID-19

Our national footprint of collection centers allows for risk mitigation if a given site is unavailable. Detailed COVID-19 exposure case management protocol is followed in instances where any staff report any of the following conditions:

Are symptomatic and/or tested positive for the COVID-19 virus

Each reported incident is closely evaluated, and a thorough process is initiated to mitigate risk and prevent potential spread of COVID-19 within Red Cross facilities and staff