6 OFWs free of MERS virus, are released from hospital

By: Tina G. Santos - 11 years ago

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) previously diagnosed to have Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) have been released from the hospital after they were declared negative of the deadly virus strain, the Department of Labor and Employment said Friday.

“They have been released from the hospital,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, citing a report from Labor Attache to Abu Dhabi Angel Borja. She did not divulge the names of the six OFWs to protect their privacy.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) earlier confirmed that a Filipino nurse died from MERS in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, bringing to three the number Filipinos who have died from the disease.

Baldoz said the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (Polo) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were working closely with the Philippine Embassy and with the Filipino communities in the emirates to raise awareness on the MERS and to help disseminate information on precautionary measures to be taken against the virus.

“Our Polos are one with the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi in making representation with the host country’s local health authorities, not only in securing correct and relevant information, but also in protecting Filipinos in the medical and allied professions,” said Baldoz.

In a related development, Labor Attache to Qatar Leopoldo de Jesus reported to Baldoz that the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) of Qatar has stepped up its monitoring of MERS cases, as well as in preparing how to deal with any MERS case.

Citing published reports, De Jesus said the SCH has created a medical team comprising of high level experts from the council which is now visiting all medical clinics and other private and government hospitals to determine their readiness to cope up with MERS cases.