The Philippine Red Cross reminded the public on Thursday, March 3 to continue observing health protocols despite the drop in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

(Photo from Philippine Red Cross / MANILA BULLETIN)

PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sen. Richard Gordon also reiterated that one can prevent COVID-19 transmission through vaccination, testing, and isolation once symptoms occur.

PRC said that it continues to operate its isolation facilities which started during the surge of COVID-19 cases 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 (We at Red Cross continued our initiatives to prevent COVID-19 infection. With cases dropping in the country, we should be complacent since the virus can still spread and affect those who are unvaccinated)," Gordon said.

"Kaya magpabakuna na kayo, magpa test, at mag isolate kung may symptoms upang maiwsan ang COVID-19 (So get vaccinated, get tested and isolate yourselves if you have symptoms to prevent COVID-19 infection),” he added.

The repurposed classrooms and facilities in the University of the Philippines, 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 have been served since the start of operations.

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