The spread of novel coronavirus through the United States has disrupted everyday life.

But as social distancing becomes the rule and staying indoors is encouraged - and in some places mandatory - an operation that relies on public participation is seeing a serious deficit.

Holly Yacynych, regional marketing manager for Miller-Keystone Blood Center, said Miller-Keystone fills the blood needs of 29 hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Typically, Yacynych said, the center collects at least 450 units of blood daily to fill demands at each facility.

As of last Thursday, Yacynych said, COVID-19 led to the cancellation of about 65 blood drives. That translates to 1,800 donations lost.

“That impacts our ability to supply the hospitals,” Yacynych said. “The reason that’s important is because newborn babies, premature babies, cancer patients, trauma victims all still need blood. … Those things are still happening.”

“We definitely are at a critical shortage right now,” she said.

The American Red Cross sent out a news release last week, saying that the closure of schools, college campuses, businesses and other entities had caused a “severe blood shortage.” The release said almost 2,700 drives had been canceled nationwide.

In Northeastern Pennsylvania, 28 drives had been called off, equating to nearly 700 donations lost.

On Monday, Alana Mauger, communications manager for Red Cross Blood Services, said those numbers have since increased.

Mauger said that more than 6,000 drives have been canceled so far. Northeastern Pennsylvania saw 57 called off, which Mauger said equates to over 1,300 donations lost.

“It’s a real issue,” she said.

To help ease the blood shortage, both Miller-Keystone and the Red Cross are encouraging healthy people to come out and donate blood.

Yacynych said people are encouraged to schedule an appointment online to give at one of Miller-Keystone’s donor centers; there are locations in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. An health screening can be completed online beforehand.

Mauger said that while businesses have closed to the public, some are opening for blood drives. To find a drive taking place near you, go to redcrossblood.org and make an appointment.

Mauger said more drives are being planned and added to the website, sometimes by the hour. She said people shouldn’t be discouraged if they can’t immediately find one close by. The organization has to not only meet its daily demand, it has to “make up for lost time and rebuild the blood supply,” Mauger said.

“It will continue to be critical,” Mauger said.

“This is not a race,” she continued. “It’s a marathon. We need to continue to collect blood.”

Anyone participating in Red Cross blood drives will have their temperature taken at the door to ensure donors are healthy.

Locally, the Lehighton Ambulance Association will host an emergency blood drive on Wednesday in partnership with Miller-Keystone. The drive will start at 1 p.m. and end at 6 p.m.

Those interested in participating can sign up using the link on the ambulance association’s Facebook page, though walk-ins will also be accepted.