Gordon calls for mobilization of resources vs Delta variant

FOLLOWING the reported cases of Delta variant in the country, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Senator Richard J. Gordon called for massive mobilization of resources to protect frontliners in the affected regions, especially those in Cagayan De Oro and Misamis Oriental.

“We need to ensure 100-percent vaccination of all health workers. Additional PPES [personal protective equipment] will be needed in all hospitals and health centers big and small,” the Senator said adding not to limit the supply of PPES to the frontliners in Mindanao.

“We don’t have enough doctors and nurses there. We need to make sure they are vaccinated, suited up, and prepared,” Gordon added.

The Department of Health has said that of the 11 local cases of the Delta variant, five were from Cagayan de Oro and one from Misamis Oriental.

Gordon said it is important to deploy good health communicators who can explain how contagious this virus is in the local languages. Information should be given to the people so that they may know the need to avoid indoor gatherings and wear properly fitted masks.

He also said that ambulance units need to be prepared for the transfer of non-covid patients in a safe way and called for the immediate ramping up of treatment protocols for those who are sick.

“We cannot get genome sequencing for every patient but it’s enough to know that a few cases could rise exponentially within weeks. The Delta Variant has milder symptoms among the vaccinated so this is a high priority area. We need to be agile and nimble. Move vaccines to these regions, deploy additional people, and most importantly, vaccinate all seniors. We may not be able prevent it. The spread and hopefully illness will be mild - but we should focus on preventing unnecessary death through vaccination and treatment,” he furthered.

Vigilance

GORDON also called on the public to be vigilant.

“The new Delta Variant should not cause panic but to alert our fellow Filipinos that there is still a threat of the new variant,” Gordon said adding that the PRC, the leading organization for Covid-19 tests, has also started to ramp up its vaccination efforts to beat the invisible enemy.

He also encouraged the public to get vaccinated.

“If vaccinated already, please wear face mask, observe social distancing and wash your hands frequently,” he emphasized.

Breakthrough

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported last Sunday that it reached a breakthrough of vaccinating over 37,300 as of July 17.

“The best protection against Covid-19 is to get vaccinated. That is why the Red Cross continuously makes an effort to promote and educate the public so that we can reach herd immunity,” Gordon said.

According to PRC Health Services Manager Mark Alvin I. Abrigo, about 35,232 were vaccinated in the PRC Bakuna (vaccine) Centers and 2,068 through “Bakuna Buses.”

The PRC continues to ramp up its vaccination efforts as it also expands its vaccination centers nationwide.

As of July 17, the PRC Bakuna Centers are: PRC Logistics and Multi-purpose Center (Mandaluyong); PRC Pasay chapter; PRC Port Area; PRC Kabaka (Manila); PRC Letran (Manila); PRC Tarlac (Citywalk Mall); PRC Zamboanga City (Zamcelco); PRC Iligan City (Lanao Chung Hua School); PRC Bulacan Chapter; PRC Rizal Chapter (Arcovia Mall, Pasig, in partnership with the local government unit); and, PRC Rizal Chapter-san Lorenzo Mall (Makati, in partnership with LGU).

As of July 17, the established PRC Bakuna Buses are in Mandaluyong, Marikina and Navotas.