Today, 192 national societies across the globe mark World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, with Filipinos sharing in the celebration and renewal of commitment to make the world a safer, more peaceful place.
It was around this time that news of a deadly virus in Wuhan, China, started to set off alarms worldwide. The PRC’s initial response was to source surgical masks and personal protective equipment and distribute these to the health workers, returning travelers, and other sectors deemed at risk.
A study of the testing process in China helped PRC choose the protocol that was the most appropriate, and the equipment, facilities, and manpower required. Within 10 days, it was able to build its first COVID-19 laboratory. Medical technologists from PRC’s blood centers were trained and their operating protocol developed. Inaugurated on April 14, the lab served as the country’s first automated RT-PCR testing facility.
Gordon moved to have the testing further “democratized” and made more affordable. With the help of scientists from the University of Illinois and the University of the Philippines, the PRC introduced saliva RT-PCR testing, a cheaper, less invasive but still effective alternative to oro and naso pharyngeal swabbing.
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