The Philippine Red Cross’ chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon has directed the Red Cross Executive Management to do necessary preparations in case the new Covid-19 variant hits the Philippine shores, the organization said on November 30.
In a statement, PRC said that Gordon has also tasked the management to purchase personal protective equipment, strengthen its molecular laboratories or testing centers, and aggressively support the governments national vaccination program. He has also ordered PRC Chapters nationwide to prepare all necessary equipment to combat Covid-19.
Gordon urged the public to not let its guard down despite recording Covid-19 below 1000 per day since the 2nd week of November, since “viruses mutate over time”.
“While we prepare all our assets to combat Covid-19, it is important as individuals to prevent it by practicing health protocols. It is not the time to be complacent. We should wear a mask when going out, protect our eyes by using shield or goggles, social distancing, hand hygiene as often as possible, no unnecessary travel, and get vaccinated.” Gordon said.
“The Philippine Red Cross, as a partner of choice of other humanitarian organizations and national societies around the globe operates with following the four P’s: Predict, Plan, Prepare, Practice. That is why the Red Cross will be ready. I hope the entire country will be, too.” He added. PRS said that social distancing and limited population movement continues to be the best defense to winning the war against Covid-19 because breakthrough infections among vaccinated have been recorded and some people even died.
Meanwhile, according to the PRC Health Services, the PRC Bakuna Centers administered 1,909 doses, while the PRC Bakuna Buses provided 6,487 on the first day of national vaccination program. The PRC also deployed hundreds of its volunteers and staff to support local government-run Bakuna Centers to provide 4,607 doses.
