More than 7K patients get first aid from Red Cross during Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — The total number of patients attended to by personnel of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for its Holy Week operations has spiked to more than 7,000.

According to the data from PRC released as of 9 a.m. of Saturday, a total of 7,134 were given first aid and other medical assistance during its nationwide Holy Week operations.

The latest number was nearly 2,300 higher than the agency’s data recorded Friday morning.

READ: Red Cross aids more than 4,000 patients during Holy Week

The PRC said the numbers were collated since Sunday from outposts in seaports, beaches and resorts, highways, churches, parks, and transport terminals across the country.

Those seeking blood pressure assistance remains the biggest chunk as the PRC recorded 6,625 patients who sought blood pressure check.

Apart from this, 22 patients were rushed to hospitals due to fainting, severe body pain, difficulty in breathing, or head trauma.

The agency also said that seven other incidents were tallied as major cases, as it involved seizures, unconsciousness, and bone fractures.

Meanwhile, there were 335 minor cases considered as light wounds, sprains, muscle cramps, jellyfish stings, and dizziness. The PRC also aided 94 patients for counseling and psychosocial support, and 49 were referred to other medical institutions.

The PRC also noted that about 287 of its personnel have been mobilized in 71 first-aid stations and 38 welfare desks, while 38 ambulances have been dispatched for emergency situations. /jpv