Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an
infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to
pneumonia and
acute respiratory distress syndrome. The
COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the stock of blood banks worldwide. This study aims to assess the prevalence of
COVID-19 in a population of whole blood donors and analyze the possible association between
blood group and susceptibility to the disease and the impact of adopting preventive measures against
SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and methods: This retrospective study included all whole blood donors from a Portuguese hospital between July and September 2021. A self-assessment questionnaire was used to collect data on
COVID-19 infection, vaccination, and preventive measures. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The prevalence of
COVID-19 in the donor population was 11.96% (n = 97), with only 2 cases of serious illness requiring hospitalization. No association was found between
blood group and
disease susceptibility. Older men were less likely to adopt preventive measures. The vaccination rate was high, with 84.26% of donors having received at least one dose of the
vaccine. Seven donors declined
COVID-19 vaccination. Preventive measures did not differ based on
COVID-19 infection status or vaccination. Discussion: Although there was a higher frequency of
COVID-19 in group A donors, the
blood group was not associated with susceptibility to
infection. The donor population consisted of young individuals without comorbidities, showing a
COVID-19 prevalence like the general population and few severe cases. The high vaccination rate and adoption of preventive measures likely contributed to these findings.