COVID-19 now infects 704 Filipinos overseas; 4 more die – DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Another 44 Filipinos abroad have tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while the number of fatalities climbed to 88, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

Data released by DFA showed a 31.6 percent increase in the count of confirmed COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos compared to figures last week.

According to DFA, a total of 704 overseas Filipinos have so far contracted the disease.

Of the number, 400 patients are undergoing treatment while 216 have already been discharged from the hospital or have recovered.

Meanwhile, DFA said it documented four new deaths of Filipinos abroad.

(1/3) From a week of reflection in observance of the Holy Week, the DFA records a 31.6% increase in the confirmed COVID-19 cases among our OFs in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/Africa compared to figures last week, pic.twitter.com/ZQinhoX8rw

— DFA Philippines 🇵🇭 (@DFAPHL) April 14, 2020

“The DFA, through its Embassies and Consulates, continues to partner with local health authorities and agencies in ensuring proper implementation of preventive measures and restrictions, and remains steadfast in its commitment to attending to the needs of our kababayan affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the agency said.

DFA then reported that at least 13,000 overseas Filipino workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic have returned to the Philippines.

KGA