ALL hospitals in Metro Manila supervised by the Department of Health will be placed under Code White Alert starting January 5 in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, the DOH said Thursday. 

The DOH said Code White Alert is declared during national events, holidays, or celebrations that can potentially cause mass casualty incidents or emergencies.

Identified medical personnel and staff are placed on standby for the immediate acceptance and treatment of incoming patients at the hospitals. 

For the Black Nazarene feast, eight health emergency response teams, each equipped with ambulances, will be strategically deployed along the Traslacion route to provide advanced emergency medical services to the thousands of devotees expected to participate in the procession. 

The response teams will be stationed at the Quirino Grandstand, Roxas Blvd. cor Ayala (National Museum & Fine Arts), Ayla Blvd. cor Taft (PNU), Ayala Blvd. cor San Marcelino, San Sebastian Church with Reachout, Villarica, Quezon Blvd, Quinta Market, and Paterno, Quezon Blvd. 

“This strategic deployment aims to ensure prompt and efficient emergency medical assistance, covering significant segments and quadrants to enhance the safety and well-being of all participants throughout the event,” the DOH said. 

The Code White period is from January 5 to 11.

Meanwhile, the DOH advised the public to do the following:

(1) Observe the necessary precautions and safety measures during the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene;

(2) Wear a face mask and ensure good airflow;

(3) Consider participating from home as this celebration leads to crowding, which has a greater health risk; 

(4) Refrain from touching and kissing the figures and statues due to the risk of transmission of communicable diseases;

(5) Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration; and 

(6) Avoid prolonged exposure to heat to prevent the risk of heat stroke.