The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the organization announced Tuesday. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, ARC said.

Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To date, nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to concerns about congregating at workplaces, college campuses and schools amidst the coronavirus outbreak. These cancellations have resulted in some 86,000 fewer blood donations. More than 80 percent of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at locations of this type, the release added.

VDOT precautions

As the Virginia Department of Transportation takes steps to ensure the safety of citizens and staff, it will continue tolling and other operations at the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge, it announced.

Its residency facilities in Williamsburg, York, James City County and other localities south of the York River are closed to the public until further notice, VDOT said.

Crews will monitor and respond to travel needs as necessary, and issues can be reported to 1-800-FOR-ROAD.