573 Filipinos in UK contracted Covid-19: Embassy

A total of 147 have recovered from the disease while 78 have died. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom on Friday confirmed that as of June 18, a total of 573 Filipinos have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the European state.

Based on the latest data sent by Vice Consul to the UK Stacy Alcantara, there are 348 active Filipino Covid-19 cases in the UK, including dual citizens, former Filipinos, and ethnic Filipinos born in the host country.

A total of 147 have recovered from the disease while 78 have died.

In Ireland, which is under the Embassy’s jurisdiction, 80 infections among Filipinos have been recorded, 64 of whom have recovered while three have died.

According to the World Health Organization, the UK has 299,255 confirmed Covid-19 cases and Ireland, 25,341.

Thousands of Filipinos in the UK and Ireland are working in the health services, fighting on the front lines against Covid-19.

In the UK alone, an estimated 21,000 Filipinos are serving in the National Health Service and private hospitals while in Ireland, professionals from the Philippines make up 10 percent of health care executives.

In a televised Laging Handa briefing on Friday morning, Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo said the Philippine government had already extended the USD200 cash assistance to Filipino workers affected by the health crisis in the UK.

Food packs and vitamins were also distributed to displaced overseas Filipino workers and those with Covid-19 symptoms.

In the same presser, Lagdameo shared that the UK is researching a possible Covid-19 vaccine, a clinical trial the Philippines is interested to be part of.

“Nagpaabot na ng interes ang ating pamahalaan (sa) vaccine na ito kung ito ay magiging ligtas at mabisa (The Philippine government has already signified interest in this vaccine if it can be proven safe and effective),” he said.