DFA reports 10 more COVID-19 deaths of Filipinos abroad; toll now at 65

MANILA, Philippines — Ten more Filipinos overseas have died due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

DFA data shows that eight Filipinos died in the Americas while two died in the European region. This increased the number of overseas Filipinos who died due to the disease to 65.

As of April 7, DFA said there are 569 COVID-19 positive Filipinos abroad. Of this, 346 were undergoing treatment while 158 were able to recover or sent home from the hospital.

DFA data also shows that 217 Filipinos in 11 countries in the Asia Pacific region, 61 cases in 10 countries in the Middle East and Africa, 192 cases in 12 countries in Europe, and 99 cases in three countries in the Americas are infected with the novel coronavirus disease.

“Reports on our (Overseas Filipinos) as of today show an increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 6% across the regions of Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/Africa; with most of the new cases and deaths recorded in the Americas,” DFA said.

Despite this, DFA said the number of recoveries “significantly increased” at 19 percent, the highest for the past two weeks.

“We owe the increasing number of recoveries to all the brave health workers across the globe who continue to risk their lives to ensure the health of our kababayan abroad,” it said.

The foreign affairs department also reported that other countries are likewise anticipating the extension of lockdowns imposed in their respective areas.

Globally, COVID-19 has infected 1.3 million people as of April 7, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus board.

The United States of America has the most number of cases at 368,449, followed by Spain at 136,675.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health said there are 3,764 COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with the death toll at 177.

KGA