PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard J. Gordon
Philippine Red Cross: Always 1st, always there, always ready in fight vs COVID-19
MORE than a year has passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic last March 11, 2020.
The role of testing was emphasized since 97% of the cases are asymptomatic or mild so people are unknowingly spreading the virus. With this in mind, the Philippine Red Cross took action with the leadership of PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard J. Gordon, and built the first-ever Molecular Laboratory located at the PRC National Blood Service building.
Two weeks after opening the first molecular lab, it was then followed by the PRC Logistics and Multi-purpose Center (PLMC) Molecular Laboratory.
As of today, PRC has already built 13 laboratories in key strategic areas with a testing capacity of 44,000 tests per day. PRC also tested over 2.8 million people nationwide and is on its way to three million tests making up for 24% of tests conducted nationwide.
With the increasing demand for testing in the country, PRC has introduced the Saliva RT-PCR test which is a quicker, faster, and non-invasive way of testing for COVID-19. PRC also partnered with different shopping malls as saliva collection sites to be able to accommodate and become more accessible to the people. There are now 85 PRC saliva testing locations nationwide.
The PRC Molecular Laboratories have paved the way for OFWs and LSIs to come home to their families and this initiative by the PRC is vital to determine the COVID-infected individuals and prevent them from spreading the virus.
The Philippine Red Cross will always be at the service of the people and we will not stop until this pandemic is over. We test to save lives. We are always first, always ready, and always there.
