MANDALUYONG CITY -- Notwithstanding the decreasing number of new Covid-19 cases reported daily, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon reminds the public to follow health protocols to avoid a surge in new cases. The Holy Week sees an increase in interactions among people from different households, as Filipinos travel to the provinces or move about within cities to participate in religious activities. The Holy Week is also a time when residents leave the metropolis to spend a vacation in tourist destinations.

“Ang ating laban sa COVID-19 ay hindi pa tapos. Muli kong hinihikayat ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna o kumuha ng booster shot. Mas kampante tayo na mababa ang tsansa na tayo ay mahawa at magkasakit ng malubha kung tayo ay mababakunahan. At kung sakaling magkaroon ng sintomas ay mas maiging magpa-RT-PCR test para makapag-isolate kung kinakailangan,” Chairman Gordon said.

Gordon also directed PRC volunteers and staff on the ground to be on alert and ready to respond to any emergency during the holidays. The PRC Operations Center will be monitoring events 24/7.

PRC has also deployed more than 700 emergency medical services volunteers and staff across the country to operate at least 123 first aid stations and ambulance units around places of worship, highways, port areas, bus terminals, tourist destinations, and gas stations during the Holy Week. PRC continues to reach out to people across the country, encouraging them to get vaccinated on the PRC Bakuna Bus, in a Bakuna Center, or by a Bakuna Team. (Philippine Red Cross)