5 Filipinos die of COVID-19 in Canada

MANILA, Philippines — At least five Filipinos in Canada have died of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia said Tuesday.

In a televised press briefing, Garcia also reported that there was a Filipino who committed suicide but an autopsy revealed the person was COVID-19 positive.

The diplomat also said that 225 Filipinos tested positive for the viral illness in Calgary due to an outbreak in a meatpacking plant, but 89 of them have recovered.

Meanwhile, 22 Filipinos were infected with the viral illness in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, six of whom have recovered, while one died.

Garcia noted that it is difficult to determine the total number of infected Filipinos in Canada because the federal and provincial governments do not indicate in their reports if the patient is a Filipino. She also cited the country’s strict privacy laws.

“The only way that the Embassy and our Consulate General can find out that a Filipino has been found positive is if the person or his family members will come to the embassy or consulate,” Garcia said.

But she assured that all COVID-19 patients in Canada provided treatment or monitored regardless whether they are tourists or Canadian citizens.

“They all have access to the medical facilities,“ she said.

There are 930,000 Filipinos in Canada, of whom around 880,000 are now permanent residents while the rest are temporary workers, according to Garcia.

To date, there are 77,000 confirmed cases in Canada and 5,800 deaths. But more than half of the 77,000 have recovered, she added.

EDV