209 new Covid-19 cases recorded among overseas Filipinos

This brings the total positive to 1,604, some 419 of whom have recovered while 189 have died. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday reported 209 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among overseas Filipinos, the highest single-day increase recorded.

This brings the total positive to 1,604, some 419 of whom have recovered while 189 have died.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said the newly reported cases also raised to 46 from 44, the number of countries with Covid-19 patients.

The countries, however, were not identified.

Of the overall tally, 360 cases came from the Asia-Pacific region, 454 from Europe, 333 from the Middle East/Africa, and 457 from the Americas.

“The DFA personnel in our foreign service posts remain steadfast in partnering with local health authorities and agencies in ensuring adherence of our people with preventive measures against (the) Covid-19 pandemic, and commit to tirelessly attending to the needs of our people affected by this pandemic, whenever possible,” Meñez said.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, thousands of overseas Filipino workers were also displaced due to temporary closures and suspensions of business operations.

In a recent virtual briefing, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola assured that the repatriation efforts for those requesting to return home will continue.

As of April 27, about 22,016 overseas Filipinos have returned to the Philippines amid the pandemic, 5,423 of whom were land-based while 16,593 were seafarers from about 78 cruise ships.