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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Red Cross conducts over 3.5 million COVID-16 tests nationwide

PH Red Cross conducts over 3.5 million COVID-16 tests nationwide

Published Jul 18, 2021 02:24 pm

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has so far conducted 3.5 million coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests nationwide.

(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon said they have already conducted a total of 3,548,583 tests —both reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab and saliva tests in the country.

He said the country’s premier humanitarian organization remains at the forefront of the country’s efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and continues holding the country’s first line of defense against the viral disease.

“Ang natest natin ngayon ay 3,548,583,” Gordon said in an interview with TeleRadyo on Sunday, July 18.

He said more COVID-19 tests will be conducted by the PRC as it is expected to open more molecular laboratories in Mindanao and even in Luzon.

“Dadami pa yan (COVID-19 tests) dahil magbubukas na ang ating bagong molecular laboratory sa Cotabato, sa BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). Magbubukas pa tayo sa Davao del Norte, General Santos at malamang sa Palawan (That will increase because our new molecular laboratory will be opened in Cotabato, in BARMM. We will open in Davao del Norte, General Santos and most likely in Palawan),” Gordon said.

He expressed hopes that the local governments in these areas will be one with the PRC in its initiative to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Gordon had expressed PRC’s commitment to contribute to the country’s fight against COVID-19 by continued testing - along with other services.

PRC started conducting COVID-19 tests on April 14, 2020. In January this year, it launched its saliva RT-PCR tests.

Related Tags

COVID-16 tests saliva tests reverse transcription polymerase chain reactionswab tests Philippine Red Cross
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