COVID-19 claims life of 1 Filipino; infects 8 others in Myanmar — envoy

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus causes COVID-19. (NIAID-RML via AP FILE)

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino in Myanmar has died of COVID-19 while eight others contracted the disease, Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Eduardo Kapunan Jr. said Tuesday.

“May isang Pilipino nga ang nagkaroon ng COVID, ang nagbigay sa kanya ng oxygen, employer niya. Pero pagdating sa ospital, wala na siyang oxygen. So pumanaw po yung Pilipino na yun,” Kapunan said in an interview with Teleradyo.

(There is one Filipino who had COVID. The employer gave them oxygen but when admitted to the hospital, they ran out of oxygen. So that Filipino died.)

Kapunan said the Filipino died last week and the embassy is now awaiting to ship the ashes to the Philippines.

“We just monitored eight cases of Filipinos being infected. Seven of those are recovering, but 1 is still under critical condition,” Kapunan said, when asked if there are other Filipinos who contracted COVID-19.

Kapunan urged Filipinos in Myanmar to report their situation so that the embassy could extend assistance.

Filipinos in Myanmar were encouraged to return to the Philippines following a surge in cases there due to the COVID-19 Delta variant.

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JPV