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Tag: SWAB RT-PCR

Mandaluyong City — As the country sees an increasing number of new cases of Covid-19, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon encourages the public to get tested to prevent the undetected transmission of the virus. The Department of Health Covid-19 tracker shows an increasing number of new cases added daily, based on a 7-day moving average.

“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,” Chairman Gordon said.

At the onset of the pandemic, in 2020, the PRC was 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 PRC’s first molecular laboratory started operations in April 2020, one month after former President Duterte declared a community quarantine in the National Capital Region. 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. 

As of August 14, 2022, the PRC has completed more than 5.6 million swab and saliva RT-PCR tests in the country. Go to https://tinyurl.com/2wwvnz2j to book an RT-PCR test. The PRC molecular laboratories offer discounts to senior citizens and persons with disability.

Philippine Red Cross personnel taking the Saliva RT-PCR Test

As the National and Local Elections 2022 are concluded, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the leadership of its Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, reminded the public to get vaccinated and observe COVID-related symptoms.

To assist the government with its vaccination efforts, the PRC also deployed its 20 Bakuna Buses to different communities across the country. Each is designed with a spacious interior for vaccination, storage of supplies, and patients’ waiting area.  The PRC also continues to offer one of the most affordable reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, including the cheaper and less invasive saliva-based test administered only by the organization’s 14 molecular laboratories.

“Muli kong hinihikayat ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan na hindi pa nababakunahan na magparehistro o mag-walk in lamang sa Red Cross upang kayo’y mabigyan ng vaccination schedule at maprotektahan laban sa kumakalat na virus. Nariyan pa rin ang ating abot-kayang RT-PCR test at mga Bakuna Buses na lumilibot sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa upang magbigay serbisyo. Sama-sama tayo laban sa COVID-19,” Chairman Dick Gordon said. 

Aside from offering these services, the PRC encourages the public, particularly the elderly and immunocompromised patients, to observe the minimum public health standards, which include immediate isolation if COVID-related symptoms are experienced. This is in response to the Department of Health’s latest National COVID-19 Case Bulletin last May 9, 2022, which reports over 1,000 COVID-19 new cases, 14 of which are severe and critical.

“Nariyan pa rin ang banta ng COVID-19 sa ating paligid, kaya nais nating paalalahanan ang publiko na sundin palagi ang itinakdang guidelines ng ating gobyerno. Red Cross is always ready to help, particularly in administering COVID-19 vaccine, RT-PCR test, and other humanitarian services.” Chairman Gordon added.

To date, the PRC has administered 1,169,428 vaccination doses and tested patients using either the swab or saliva method. 

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) commemorates the first anniversary since the visit of his eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to the Philippine Red Cross Logistics and Multipurpose Centre (PLMC) molecular laboratory last October 08, 2020.


Cardinal Tagle visited and blessed the newly built PLMC molecular laboratory, PRC’s 2nd molecular laboratory, in the country. Since then, PRC has established 14 molecular laboratories nationwide and has tested to over 4,528,998, which is 21% of the country’s national testing output.


“One year ago ay nagpunta ang aking pinsan na si Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle dito sa PLMC molecular laboratory at nagsagawa ng blessing upang maging matagumpay ang ating laban kontra COVID-19. Sa ngayon ay nalalapit na sa 5 million tests ang nagagawa ng PRC, at mas marami ang buhay na ating naisasalba sa pamamagitan ng pagtetest at upang hindi makahawa sa mga mahal natin sa buhay,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.


PRC continues to push for regular testing as it lowers prices for its swab and saliva RT-PCR test to make it affordable to its clients, who want to get tested for COVID-19. PRC also continues its operation in partner malls as saliva collection sites to make them accessible and convenient to everyone.

PRC also is very active in its COVID-19 response such as the Bakuna Centers, the deployment of Bakuna Buses to vaccinate individuals in far-flung areas, the deployment of food trucks to feed lockdown-affected individuals, and the establishment of the different PRC Isolation Facilities and Emergency Field Hospital for mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

Philippine Red Cross

Born officially in 1947, but with roots that traces back to the revolutionary days, the Philippine Red Cross has truly become the premier humanitarian organization in the country, committed to provide quality life-saving services that protect the life and dignity especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations.

Address: 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550
Emergency Hotline: 143
Trunkline +63 2 8790 2300
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