MANDALUYONG CITY -- Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon reminds the public to continue observing health protocols despite the lowering of COVID-19 cases. Chairman Gordon also reiterated that one can prevent COVID-19 transmission through vaccination, testing, and isolation once symptoms occur.

PRC continues to operate their Isolation Facilities which was started during the surge last March 2021 in response to the rising cases of COVID-19 cases in the country. Chairman Gordon saw the need to establish isolation facilities to cater to patients and prevent household transmission. The isolation facilities are in partnership with the different local government units in Metro Manila which turned unused classrooms into COVID-19 facilities.

“Ipinagpapatuloy namin sa Red Cross ang aming initiatives upang maiwasan ang COVID-19. Sa bumababang kaso ng COVID-19 cases sa bansa, dapat hindi tayo maging kampante at nakakahawa pa rin ang COVID-19 at maaring makaapekto sa mga hindi pa nababakunahan. Kaya magpabakuna na kayo, magpa test, at mag isolate kung may symptoms upang maiwsan ang COVID-19,” Chairman Gordon said.

The repurposed classrooms and facilities in UP, Ateneo, Makati Science High School, St. Benilde, Adamson, and also in Cagayan, house asymptomatic and mild patients to allow them to be isolated for 14 days away from their households. These individuals are provided with essential needs such as beds, toiletries, isolation kits, and food.

The PRC isolation facility program is only one among the various initiatives dedicated to enhancing the management of COVID-19 in the country. To date, 5, 176 patients were served since the start of operations. (Philippine Red Cross)