Connecticut in blood emergency [Video]

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz joined Hartford Healthcare and Connecticut Blood Center representatives on Tuesday to raise awareness about a statewide blood emergency.

Summer is typically a “trauma season” for hospitals and the current blood supply is low, according Jonathan DeCasanova with the Connecticut Blood Center.

DeCasanova said there is a shortage across all types of blood, but type O and O negative supply is at the lowest, with just two to three days’ worth.

“We haven’t seen this low of inventory since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said during a press conference Tuesday. “So, we are certainly encouraging folks to roll up those sleeves, come out to donate.”

Type O, known as the universal blood type, is in high demand. Dr. Bradford Sherburne, a medical director with Hartford Healthcare, said type O blood is useful when you have a trauma patient with an …