DFA: 8 more Filipinos abroad infected with COVID-19

Photo from DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Eight more Filipinos abroad have tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease, bringing the total count to 525, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.

Based on the latest data of DFA, most of the new cases were Filipinos from America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Also, DFA said it documented six new deaths of Filipinos overseas due to COVID-19, increasing the toll to 49. Most of the fatalities are from America and Europe, it added.

DFA further said it recorded one Filipino abroad who was able to recover from the highly contagious respiratory illness. Now, it noted, the total number of recovered overseas Filipinos from COVID-19 is at 132.

COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which outbreak started in China’s Wuhan City in Hubei province in late 2019.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough but it can be a high risk for older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Worldwide, the virus already infected more than 1.2 million people and killed more than 65,000 as of April 5.

KGA