DFA records first Pinoy COVID-19 death in Israel

MANILA, Philippines — The first death among Filipinos infected with the coronavirus in Israel was confirmed on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

According to DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed that a 65-year-old Filipino woman died last Aug. 23.

The DFA also noted that 39 of the 46 Filipinos in Israel who were suffering from COVID-19 had already recovered and had been discharged from hospitals and quarantine facilities.

Meanwhile, the embassy assured that Filipinos with COVID-19 would continue to receive assistance, including food packs and cash grants of $200 each from the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA).

The DFA is also arranging for the repatriation of those who would want to return to the Philippines,

“Even with the prolonged duration of the pandemic, the Embassy continues to operate by appointment to serve the consular needs of the Filipino community in Israel. Despite our limited budget, the Embassy continues to provide food assistance to overstaying Filipinos who lost their jobs during the lockdown,” Ambassador Nathaniel Imperial said.

“The Embassy has remained open for consular operations and in compliance with the Ministry of Health (MOH) protocols, has only allowed a limited number of clients to enter the premises,” he added.

As of Monday, DFA said that there were already 10,070 confirmed COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad, with 3,188 of the patients undergoing treatment and 6,127 already discharged.

There are also 775 Filipinos abroad who have succumbed to the virus, not including this latest case.

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