DFA reports 74 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad; 13 deaths in Middle East

MANILA, Philippines — The total number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among overseas Filipinos climbed to 8,762 after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 74 new infections on Wednesday.

According to the DFA, the majority of the new cases were reported in the Middle East.

Of the total number of cases, the DFA said 2,935 remain under treatment while 5,237 patients have recovered or been discharged from the hospital, including 19 new recoveries in Asia and the Pacific region, Europe, and Middle East.

The DFA also recorded 13 new fatalities in the Middle East, bringing the death toll to 590.

“With the resumption of international flight operations at NAIA Terminal 3 beginning today, 8 July 2020, the DFA expects a rise in repatriations and assures its steadfast commitment to effectively facilitating and coordinating the safe return of our nationals affected by this pandemic,” the DFA added.

In the Philippines, health authorities have so far confirmed 47,873 COVID-19 cases in the country. Of the number 12,386 have recovered while 1,309 have succumbed to the disease.

Globally, the number of individuals infected with the new coronavirus, which originated from Wuhan City in China’s Hubei province late last year, surpassed 11.3 million. Over 532,000 have died from the disease across the world.