At least 18 people, including elderly cemetery visitors, received medical assistance during the observance of Undas, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, in Iloilo City.
In a situational report released at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said medical teams deployed to cemeteries attended to patients aged 23 to 84.
Among them was an 81-year-old woman who reportedly lost consciousness for about 30 seconds while visiting Christ the King Memorial Park in Jaro district.
Emergency responders checked her vital signs, stabilized her condition and administered first aid, according to the report.
A 72-year-old woman also complained of chest pain at the La Paz Old Cemetery, where responders checked her blood pressure and conducted a physical assessment.
Another 70-year-old woman experienced lower back and hip pain after slipping at the Molo Public Cemetery.
The report did not indicate whether any of the patients required hospitalization.
Other medical complaints included dizziness, headaches, elevated blood sugar, and minor injuries.
A 54-year-old woman at the Molo Public Cemetery was attended to for hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, while a 52-year-old woman experienced dizziness at the La Paz Old Cemetery.
A 58-year-old woman also sought assistance for dizziness at the Jaro Public Cemetery.
Three men, aged 23, 28 and 40, received treatment for lacerations, including injuries to the forehead and left foot.
Several other cemetery visitors underwent blood pressure checks and physical assessments.
The City Health Office, Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo Chapter, volunteer emergency medical teams and other response groups provided medical assistance.
The Philippine Red Cross established six first-aid stations in different cemeteries, while the City Health Office deployed medical teams and positioned ambulances for possible patient transport.
Medical assistance desks were also set up at the Tanza and Molo public cemeteries.
The EOC report showed that the City Health Office attended to six patients, the Philippine Red Cross to five, and the La Paz National High School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management team to three.
Other patients were assisted by volunteer emergency response groups.
The city government maintained a blue alert status during the observance, requiring emergency response personnel and participating agencies to remain on heightened readiness.
Authorities had anticipated between 250,000 and 350,000 residents and travelers visiting cemeteries and passing through transport terminals and seaports during the extended holiday period.