First-ever amber alert issued as NHS blood supplies fall critically low

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The NHS has declared its first-ever amber alert after blood supplies fell to a critically low level.

An NHS Blood and Transplant official confirmed to the Guardian that overall blood stocks in NHS England were at three days and levels of O-type had dropped to less than two days. A statement will be issued shortly, the official said.

O-negative blood is the universal type that can be given to all patients. It is important during emergencies and when the blood type of the recipient is unknown.