RIYADH — About 50,000 people have donated blood in the Kingdom since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the health ministry has said. In a statement the ministry exhorted the people to donate blood without any fear as relevant facilities are safe and they strictly adhere to the precautionary and preventive measures to combat the spread of the deadly virus. Blood donation, the ministry said, is a noble humanitarian act which contributes to saving the lives of thousands of needy patients. As part of the World Blood Donor Day on Sunday (June 14), the ministry organized a donation camp in which the donors were exhorted to book an appointment via the ministry app and choose the nearest facility and a suitable time for the voluntary work. The ministry maintains that its blood banks have an abundance of reserves. This was made possible through several blood donation campaigns where all the necessary precautions were taken, the ministry said.