6 more Filipinos abroad contract coronavirus: DFA

Meanwhile, three new recoveries and one new death were also recorded, raising the total to 861 and 285, respectively. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Six new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among Filipinos abroad were reported Thursday, bringing the total to 2,461.

The latest data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) show that one new case came from the Asia Pacific region, four in Europe, and one in the Middle East/Africa. There are now 452 cases in the Asia Pacific region, 752 in Europe, 713 in the Middle East/Africa, and 544 in the Americas.

Meanwhile, three new recoveries and one new death were also recorded, raising the total to 861 and 285, respectively.

“The DFA, through its Foreign Service Posts, remains fully committed to attending to the needs of our people abroad affected by this pandemic, whenever possible,” the agency said in a statement.

On repatriations, the DFA said 28,311 overseas Filipinos have so far returned to the Philippines since the Covid-19 outbreak.

At least 9,111 of these are land-based distressed Filipinos while 19,200 are seafarers from 93 cruise ships.

DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said more repatriates are scheduled to arrive on May 21 and the coming days from Doha (Qatar), Osaka (Japan), Dili (Timor-Leste), Berlin (Germany), Paris (France), New York (United States), Mexico, India, and South Africa.

“We’re just making it sure that those who already returned and are currently in Metro Manila are able to go home to their provinces before we allow more entry,” she said in Filipino during a virtual briefing on Thursday.

Arriola said Filipino repatriates are required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine and testing before they can exit from the National Capital Region.