MANDALUYONG CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is warning the public to stay vigilant and continue practicing health protocols after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alarm as global COVID-19 transmissions increase due to the deadlier Delta Variant.

In an official WHO press conference held this month, leading expert and WHO Executive Director for the Health Emergencies Programme, Dr. Mike Ryan, explains that there is a 33% increase in cases in the European region in the last week.

"This is not a flat curve, this is an increasing curve. Making assumptions that transmission will not increase because we are opening up, because there are vaccines is a false assumption. The transmission will increase when you open up, because (number 1) we don't have vaccines in everybody," Dr. Ryan warns the public.

With increased transmission tn the community, PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon mirrors the alarm that we are putting our most vulnerable at risk.

"Let us urge everyone we know to get vaccinated. Let us push the government to have a stable supply of vaccines. As long as there are vaccines available, the Philippine Red Cross will help the government to continue the vaccination efforts. Hindi kami titigil dito sa Red Cross," said Senator Gordon.

The PRC chairman also reiterated that the testing and vaccinations are the only weapons we have right now in battling this pandemic especially with the advent of the deadlier Delta Variant. As of July 24, the country has 64 cases of the dreaded variant.

The Philippine Red Cross is by far the most efficient partner of the government in battling the COVID-19 pandemic as it has tested more than 3.5 Million specimens via RT-PCR and vaccinated nearly 50,000 individuals through its Bakuna Centers and Bakuna Buses. PRC has 13 molecular laboratories established and has contributed to 27% of the national testing output – providing results to 1 out of 4 Filipinos getting tested for COVID. (Philippine Red Cross)