Covid-19 afflicted Filipinos abroad rise to 1,905

Based on the latest DFA data, the total number of overseas Filipinos who recovered from the respiratory disease at 523 remains higher than the total number of deaths at 215. (File Photo by Kate Trifo on Unsplash)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said a total of 1,905 Filipinos abroad has contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Today, the total number of Covid-19 cases among Filipinos abroad has breached the 1,900-mark with 38 new confirmed cases, 10 new recoveries, and one new death in the Americas, ASPAC (Asia Pacific), Europe, and the Middle East,” DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said.

Based on the latest DFA data, the total number of overseas Filipinos who recovered from the respiratory disease at 523 remains higher than the total number of deaths at 215.

Of the death toll, two were recorded from the Asia Pacific region, 73 from Europe, 19 in the Middle East/Africa, and 121 in the Americas.

Meñez said figures from the Philippine embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that 17 Filipinos from Dubai and four others from Abu Dhabi who died of Covid-19 have yet to be “officially” reported to the DFA.

“‘Yong sinabi ni Ambassador (Hjayceelyn) Quintana ay hindi pa reported officially sa amin… ‘Yong 17 in Dubai and four in Abu Dhabi na sinabi niya ay may bagong info kasi dati eight lang ang recorded [Filipino] deaths sa UAE (The one mentioned by Ambassador Quintana is not yet reported to us officially. The 17 in Dubai and four in Abu Dhabi that she was saying have new info because the last recorded deaths in UAE were eight),” he said in a text message.

Meanwhile, the government has assisted in the repatriation of some 24,442 Filipinos, prior to the suspension of inbound flights amid the pandemic.

The DFA advised all returning Filipinos affected by the suspension to contact the nearest embassy or consulate in their host country.