In light of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases added to the daily tracker of the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has once again reiterated the importance of early testing and detection of the Covid-19 virus.
"With the alarming increase in positivity rates in the past weeks, and as we see more and more of our friends and family developing symptoms, we at the PRC encourage everyone to get tested to ensure that we and our loved ones are safe from Covid," said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon.
The DOH recorded an additional 1,011 cases of BA.5 and 19 cases of BA.4 on Tuesday, Aug. 16.
During the height of the pandemic on 2020, the PRC was among the first to set up a molecular laboratory in the country that is capable of conducting automated RT-PCR tests to detect Covid-19, the organization said.
"The setting up of molecular laboratories was the PRC’s response to the need for “unmasking the enemy,” or revealing infections, so that persons infected could be isolated and not infect others," PRC added.
As of Aug. 14, the PRC has completed more than 5.6 million swabs and saliva RT-PCR tests nationwide.