Devotees assisted by Red Cross reached almost 1K

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 1,000 devotees have so far sought medical assistance from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) as the procession of the Black Nazarene on Thursday draws nearer to its endpoint.

The PRC reported that it assisted a total of 986 Nazarene devotees as of 4:30 p.m.

Traslacion Update:

As of 4:30 this afternoon, January 9, with an estimated count of two million individuals, our medical team and volunteers are providing assistance to devotees of the Black Nazarene. pic.twitter.com/l09L75tjYj

— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) January 9, 2020

Of the number, the PRC said 14 patients were rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila and to the Jose Reyes Memorial medical center due to hypertension, fracture, dislocation, fainting, loss of consciousness.

Twenty-five individuals with minor medical cases were also treated on-site, it added.

The PRC said 636 individuals were given blood pressure consultation while first aid was extended to 270 patients who suffered from dizziness, shortness of breath, elevated blood pressure, abrasion, laceration, and sprain.