Philippine Red Cross COVID-19 Operation Report # 08

Situational Overview The ’ coronavirus cases climbed to 35,455 as of June 28, 2020 and confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH reported that 10 more deaths due to COVID-19, raising the death toll to 1,244.

35,455 1,244 9,686 Confirmed Cases Deaths of confirmed cases Facility-based recoveries/ completed 14-day home quarantine

The Department of Health (DOH) revealed that there are studies stating that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients are no longer infectious after 10 days of getting sick. This is based on findings and evidence that came out about two weeks ago. The findings revealed that the shifted to symptoms-based approach in our new protocol for discharges and recoveries. The World Health Organization (WHO) also released a new criterion, stating that patients can be discharged “10 days after symptom onset, plus at least 3 additional days without symptoms. The DOH they are also eyeing to shorten the additional home quarantine to just seven days because of the new findings.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III orders the deployment of doctors including doctors to the barrio to help in Cebu City’s COVID-19 fight. This comes amid the reported ‘understaffing’ of health workers in the area. COVID-19 cases have reached a critical point in Cebu City and the Department is grateful to those who have risen to this patriotic call. A military medical team from the AFP flew to Cebu City last June 28, to reinforce the frontliners fighting the COVID-19 following the spike of cases. The team is composed of nine doctors, 10 nurses, and 13 medical aides.

Meanwhile the country’s testing capacity for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is expected to expand after the formally opened last June 27, 2020 a molecular laboratory that can process up to 14,000 samples in a day. The new facility, located at the Red Cross’ former headquarters at Port Area, , is equipped with seven RNA extractor machines (pertaining to the coronavirus strand ribonucleic acid) and 14 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines used in the so-called gold standard in coronavirus testing.

There are now 68 accredited COVID-19 laboratories across the country, 51 are RT-PCR laboratories, while 17 are GeneXpert labs. Both use the PCR technology to detect the COVID-19 virus in patient samples, but GeneXpert machine, which is semi-automated, conducts tests faster, reportedly for less than an hour.

Photos: (1) RT PCR Machine inside the Molecular Laboratory in PRC Port Area c (from Ambassador Steve Robinson) (2) Ribbon cutting ceremony of molecular laboratory in Port Area

Philippine Red Cross COVID-19 Operation Report # 08

Surveillance

PRC “Helpline (1158)” has been established to take calls related to COVID-19. It is operational 24/7 and run by psychosocial support trained volunteers, who will provide information and advice to people in their own language. This also help address rumors and misinformation related to COVID-19. The average calls raised to 200 calls per day seeking for guidance about the results of COVID-19 test.

Support to Healthcare Systems and Authorities The PRC continuously support the healthcare authorities by mobilizing its medical tents. The PRC has set up 60 medical field tents, which will serve as a staging, isolation wards were set up in different parts of the country. PRC also mobilized additional 8 medical tents in Cebu to be established in Cebu City Medical Center, Lapu Lapu District Hospital and Talisay District Hospital as the cases of COVID 19 is significantly increasing the province of Cebu.

The PRC has 3 operational molecular laboratories in Luzon Island- City (2), City of Manila (1). There are 2 molecular laboratories in Central Luzon (Clark and Subic) which passed its proficiency testing in line with Department of Health standard operating procedures. PRC aimed to really get our people tested so that we can immediately isolate those who are affected and prevent the non-carriers from acquiring the virus.

Each automated machine can process up to 1,000 swab samples a day. These same machines could also be used to detect other illnesses like tubercolosis, and leukemia, as well as the Zika virus borne by mosquitoes and the human immunodeficiency virus.

PRC tested 138,226 specimens which comprise 26% of the national tests output in the Philippines.

PRC are continuously mobilized to support DOH with the transportation of suspected and confirmed with COVID-19 individuals. A total of 601 suspected and confirmed COVID19 cases were catered.

Philippine Red Cross COVID-19 Operation Report # 08

Community Action To date, 461,035 people were reached with hygiene awareness activities. Recently, PRC together with UNICEF distributed 1,038 water kits (jerry cans and water treatment solution- hyposol) to the families who evacuated in Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City.

Photos: (1) WASH RC143 volunteer distribute hygiene kits to (LSIs) Locally Stranded individuals on home quarantine in Barangay Nauring Pandan, Antique last June 17, 2020. (2) Distribution of water kits in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City The cash assistance together with IFRC interventions is being conducted in Metro Manila, which will include an assessment and feasibility study, risk management for cash assistance. The primary objective is to support families whom have been affected by the national state of calamity for the COVID-19 Enhanced Quarantine situation to meet their immediate needs through the provision of multi-purpose cash grants, taking good practice to scale in a coordinated Movement response channelled through a strongly anchored local partners

Photos: Cash distribution in Metro Manila supported by IFRC.

Part of supporting the most vulnerable, PRC continuously aid the locally stranded individuals in Pasay City. The Philippine Army (PA) pleaded to locally stranded individuals (LSIs) not to go to the airport if they have no confirmed flights yet as military facilities used as their temporary shelters are quickly filling up

Photos: Distribution of food assistance to the locally stranded individuals in Pasay City.

Philippine Red Cross COVID-19 Operation Report # 08

Business Continuity

The PRC National Headquarter (NHQ) units and all 103 active Chapters across the country is adapting has adapted to the new norm. This also includes adjusted measures to ensure continuity of the 95 blood service facilities and one (1) dialysis center that are being operated by PRC.

Infection control measures are strengthened and posting of IEC materials were installed at PRC chapters.

Photo: Infection Control Banner posted in PRC Olongapo Chapter

Resource Mobilization, Adaptation and Coordination The PRC continues to mobilize its many volunteers for a plethora of activities throughout the country, with a strong focus on distribution of PPE, tents for isolation and treatment of suspect and confirmed cases, hygiene kits, community surveillance, community WASH, and psychosocial support including the game changer intervention the setting-up of molecular laboratories across the country.

PRC aimed to raise 3 Billion Php and currently received at least 29% of the funding requirements to support 3 million people across the country. PRC also uses online donation platforms that will increase its resources to respond based on the context. Below is the table showing the support received by PRC according to PRC COVID-19 pillars:

Pillar 2 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 (Support to Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Pillar 1 (Support to Pillar 1 (Community (Business healthcare (Community (Business List of Partners (Surveillance) healthcare system List of Partners (Surveillance) Action) Continuity) system and Action) and authorities) Continuity) authorities)

International Federation of Red Cross and International Committee of the         Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Red Cross (ICRC)

American Red Cross (ARC)    The (NLRC)   

Irish Red Cross  Singapore Red Cross 

Australian Government    UNICEF    

Chinese Embassy 

Megaworld  OKADA Foundation Inc.  Nestle Philippines  Bloomberry Foundation 

Makati Development Corporation  Metrobank Foundation 

LT Group Inc  Security Bank Foundation 

Liwayway Marketing Corporation  BPI Foundation 

Jack Ng  Puregold Price Club Inc. 

Transco  Nickel Asia Corporation 

Philippine Jaycees Senate Foundation    FF Cruz Company Inc 

Grab Philippines    Estelito Mendoza 

RCBC REWARD PROGRAMS    Supreme Master Ching Hai 

ZALORA PHIL    LAZADA  

SHOPEE    Nickel Asia Corporation  For more information, please contact the following:

SEN. RICHARD GORDON MS. ELIZABETH S. ZAVALLA MR. BRIAN KAE ENRIQUEZ Chairman and CEO Secretary General Manager, WASH Unit [email protected] Team Leader- Task Force COVID-19 Head, Chapter Development [email protected] COVID-19 Response Coordinator [email protected]