MANDALUYONG CITY -- Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Senator Dick Gordon is yet again sounding the alarm and reminding us all to not let our guards down this pandemic as the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a COVID-19 variant of concern named Omicron.

“Even as we record less than 1,000 new cases a day since the 2nd week of November, we should not let our guard down! Viruses mutate all the time! This coronavirus has recorded more than 100 mutations so far but many of the new variants have mutations that do not affect virus characteristics especially its ability to transmit to other people! But we have had variants that WHO has labeled “variants of concern” as the mutations found in these new variants have altered it such that they are more transmissible like Alpha, Beta, and Delta! Now the WHO has announced a new variant Omicron, which has over 50 mutations and appears to be more transmissible thus is now labeled a variant of concern!

The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa on Nov 9, 2021, and it is now spreading like wildfire in the continent.

PRC Chairman Sen. Dick Gordon has already directed the Red Cross executive management to do necessary preparations in case the new variant hits our shores including the purchase of personal protective equipment, strengthening its molecular laboratories or testing centers, and aggressively supporting the government’s national vaccination program.

“The Philippine Red Cross, as a partner of choice of other humanitarian organizations and national societies around the globe operates with following the four Ps. Predict. Plan. Prepare. Practice. That is why the Red Cross will be ready. I hope the entire country will be too,” added Sen. Gordon.

The PRC organization echoes the alarm of its Chairman and states that we all have to be on guard, keep wearing masks, face shields if we can, practice hand hygiene and sanitation, and don’t leave home if not necessary.

Social distancing and limited population movement are still the best defense to winning our war against Covid because breakthrough infections among vaccinated have been recorded and some people even died.

“Let’s all keep our guard up, the pandemic is not yet over! Get tested so you can protect your loved ones, even those who are fully vaccinated can carry the virus and infect the unvaccinated,” said Gordon. (Philippine Red Cross)