MANILA, Philippines — Three more Filipinos in Hong Kong have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total of infected Filipinos in the special administrative region to 16.
In a statement, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said the 16 COVID-19 positive Filipinos are now undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Hong Kong.
“The Philippine Consulate General is extending all necessary assistance to them,” it noted.
The Philippine foreign office likewise appealed to the Filipino community in Hong Kong to stay at home “whenever possible and if there is a need to go out to make sure to avoid crowded places and practice social distancing.”
“We also ask employers to respect the rest day of domestic workers who choose to stay at home,” it said.
“The Consulate General earnestly requests the Filipino Community’s cooperation in fighting the disease. Maraming salamat po!”
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are a number of 203 Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 in 26 countries as of Thursday.
The virus, which was first detected in Hubei, China late last year, has so far claimed three Filipinos abroad.
The DFA’s data summary showed the third Filipino COVID-19 fatality abroad died in a country in Europe, but did not specify the country.
The first fatality was also recorded in Europe on March 24, while a second died in a country in the Asia-Pacific region on March 25.
To date, the Philippines has 707 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 45 of whom have died while 28 recovered.
Globally, there over 450,000 COVID-19 infections, more than 20,000 of whom have died.