For the first time this year the Rhode Island Blood Center has declared a blood emergency.
Officials say donations are hundreds of units shy of what is needed to meet the needs of area hospitals.
The supply is the lowest since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
The most needed type of blood is Type O and the RIBC has put out an urgent call for Type O-positive and O-negative.
(Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / Getty Images