221 Filipinos test positive for COVID-19 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 number of Filipinos in Hong Kong who have contracted COVID-19 have reached a total of 221 amid the recent surge of coronavirus cases there, Philippine labor attache Melchor Dizon said Thursday.

“Sa aming nareceive na reports, mayroon na tayong 221 na Pilipino dito na nagkaroon ng COVID. Dito sa 221, mayroong 43 na naka-recover,” Dizon said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

(Based on reports we have received, a total of 22 Filipinos have so far contracted COVID. Among these 221, 43 have already recovered.)

According to Dizon, the COVID-positive Filipinos are staying in the houses of their employers, government quarantine facilities, facilities of non-government organizations, boarding houses, hotels, and hospitals.

Those still in the houses of their employers and in boarding houses are waiting for the call of Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection so they can be transported to a quarantine site.

Following the latest COVID-19 surge in Hong Kong, there were reports that some employers terminated Filipino domestic helpers who have tested positive for the virus.

Dizon said three domestic workers in Hong Kong who were terminated after they contracted the virus were already rehired by their employers.

He assured that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office is ready to assist Filipino workers who will be terminated by their employers because they are COVID-19 positive. He added that the Hong Kong government has also vowed to assist them and has warned employers against terminating Filipino workers.

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EDV