Gordon wants faster Covid-19 testing as Red Cross hits 3.3M tests

MANILA – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has already done about 3,307,946 tests in its 13 molecular laboratories nationwide as the Subic Molecular Laboratory turns one on Wednesday.

PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon said that soon another molecular laboratory will be opened in the province of Cotabato.

“We can say that 1 out every 4 Filipinos is tested by the Red Cross in the entire country and 1 out of 3 in Manila is tested by the Red Cross. Ganon kalakas ang dating ng Red Cross sa mga tao (That is how the people trust Red Cross),” Gordon said during the virtual press conference.

However, he added that it is still not enough. “Testing mabagal pa, naka 3.307 million test na ang Red Cross pero kulang pa yan dapat mas mabilis (the testing is still slow. Red Cross was able to do 3.307 million tests but that is still not enough, it should be faster)”, Gordon said.

Gordon said the Subic Molecular Laboratory (SML) has completed one year of full operation since it was built in 2020 and that a total of 86,507 tests were done in the laboratory.

He said that soon, PRC will also have a vaccination center in Subic.

As of Wednesday, PRC has opened up six vaccination centers in Metro Manila.

“We’ve just received the 10,000 vaccines consisting of Sinovac, Pfizer, and the Sputnik or Gamaleya,” Gordon said.

Currently, PRC has prepared 1,000 vaccinators nationwide, and that they will, later on, start in Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, and Manila.

Gordon believes that treatment for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is still out of sight, thus, he reminded the public not to be complacent.

“Dapat marunong tayong mag-ingat sa ating sarili, kailangan ang distancing. Hindi porke nabakunahan ka na ay safe ka na (We should know how to take care of ourselves, we need to practice social distancing. Not because you have been vaccinated means that you are already safe),” Gordon said.

He also reminded everyone not to take chances most especially when it comes to health and as soon as one starts to feel some symptoms, he should immediately submit himself to Covid-19 testing.