43 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad; total tops 2,500

MANILA, Philippines — The total number of overseas Filipinos who have tested positive for the new coronavirus breached the 2,500-mark, with 43 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Friday, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Latest figures from the DFA showed that a total of 2,504 Filipinos abroad have so contracted COVID-19.

Of these cases, 1,351 patients are still undergoing treatment while 866 have recovered.

There are so far 287 deaths reported, including two new fatalities in the Middle East.

“The latest figures represent a global picture of countries in different stages of the COVID story where Europe and Middle East still have the highest number of COVID-19 positive Filipinos, Asia and the Pacific has the fewest number of cases, while the Americas still has the highest number of fatalities,” the DFA said.

Below is the breakdown of the COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad as of May 22, 2020:

Asia Pacific Region (12 countries)

Deaths – 2
Undergoing treatment – 127
Recovered or discharged – 327

Middle East/Africa (12 countries)

Deaths – 49
Undergoing treatment – 567
Recovered or discharged – 103

Europe (16 countries)

Deaths – 87
Undergoing treatment – 455
Recovered or discharged – 228

Americas (6 countries)

Deaths – 149
Undergoing treatment – 202
Recovered or discharged – 208

According to the DFA, the coronavirus pandemic has triggered the repatriation of over 28,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In the Philippines, the Department of Health has so far confirmed 13,597 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Of the number, 3,092 have so far recovered while 857 have died.