Donors are being sought for O-positive blood after a reduction in stock.

It was thought that the level could drop further owing to typically fewer donations at this time of year.

Eyitayo Fakunle, a consultant haematologist with the Bermuda Hospitals Board, said: “There has been increase in utilisation of blood over the past few weeks. Our stock has reduced by a third.

“Further reduction is anticipated, since over the years, it has been noticed that fewer donors visit the Blood Donor Centre before and after the festive period, while the continuous use of blood products cannot be stopped or modified.”

He said no particular circumstance caused the depletion of the stock of O-positive, which is the most common blood type.

Dr Fakunle added: "Other blood-group types are sufficient at the moment.“

The BHB invited potential donors to call 236-5067 for appointments.

Anyone not sure about their blood type, but who is willing to donate, was asked to call the Blood Donor Centre or e-mail blood.donor@bhb.bm.

Contact can also be made by WhatsApp on (441) 533-9553.

The BHB added: “Appointments are preferred, although walk-ins are accepted.”

It said the Blood Donor Centre, at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, is open from 8.30am to 2.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 8.30am to 1pm on Fridays.

The centre is closed on weekends and public holidays.

A statement from the BHB added: “The Bermuda Blood Donor Centre team thanks the community for their kind assistance in ensuring they can continue to save lives.

“We also remind the public that the UK blood donation rule associated with Creutzfeld-Jakob disease in humans changed in June this year, making it possible for several people who were previously ineligible to now donate.”

• More information about blood donation is available online atbermudahospitals.bm/be-a-donor