4/4 UPDATE: Clermont police will host a blood drive sponsored by OneBlood from noon-5pm Tuesday, April 7, in front of the police department building at 3600 S. U.S. Highway 27.

While the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has driven down the total number of blood donations, the need for blood to help others remains.

“The rate at which blood drives are being canceled is unprecedented and will impact OneBlood’s operations for months to come,” Susan Forbes, senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations at OneBlood, says in a news release.

OneBlood has implemented additional social distancing safety protocols for all of its blood drives. Only a certain number of people will be permitted on the Big Red Bus at one time. Donors will be asked to provide their cellphone number so they can wait in their car or outside the bloodmobile. They will be called when it is their turn to come aboard the bus to donate blood.

OneBlood also is giving donors a free $20 e-gift card, water bottle and wellness checkup to include blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening.

The event will no longer include carwashes due to the governor’s recent stay-at-home order, with the exception of essential services and activities, which went into effect April 3-30. Blood donations are considered essential and are encouraged.

“This is just the Clermont Police Department’s way of giving back and thanking the community we proudly serve for aiding in the need of blood donation during this pandemic,” Chief Charles Broadway, who will be on hand donating, says in the release.

“One of the many reasons why Lake County is an amazing place to live is because of the people—people who are overwhelmingly willing to help others in times of need, support local businesses and rise to the occasion during these challenging times,” he says. “Donating blood is another way of giving back to save lives during this pandemic. Together, as a community and as a nation, we will get through this.”