DFA reports 108 COVID-19 cases among Filipinos in Hong Kong

People queue up for COVID-19 tests in the pouring rain in Hong Kong on February 22, 2022, as the city faces its worst coronavirus wave to date. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 case count among Filipinos in Hong Kong now stands at 108 since a sharp rise in infections was reported there in early February.

According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola, a total of 108 Filipinos were reported to have contracted COVID-19.

Of this number, 77 have already sought help from the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong to transfer them to an isolation facility, Arriola said during Friday’s Laging Handa briefing.

“Ngayon po lahat po ng mga Pilipino [Now all Filipinos] who tested positive are either getting medical help in the hospitals or in isolation facilities so nag-normalize na po yung health system ng Hong Kong,” she said.

“I think they were just overwhelmed last week because from zero to 6,000 sila,” she added.

Arriola said the Hong Kong government has put up isolation facilities to accommodate 20,000 patients.

“So yun pong mga nangangailangan ng isolation facilities ay natugunan na po ng pamahalaan ng Hong Kong [Those who need to be in isolation facilities have been accommodated by the government of Hong Kong,” she added.

Arriola said Filipinos in Hong Kong needing financial help or COVID-19 care packages can reach out to the consulate for assistance.

EDV