Filipinos in Shanghai infected by the coronavirus and those affected by the lockdown amid the surge of new cases are being assisted by the Chinese government, the Philippine Consulate in China said Wednesday, April 27.

Consul General of the Philippines in Shanghai Josel Ignacio assured the families of overseas Filipinos based in China's biggest city, which is currently experiencing strict lockdowns due to the surge of Covid-19 cases, that their kins are receiving necessary help from the foreign government.

There are currently 18 cases of the disease among Filipinos in Shanghai; five of them have already recovered and were discharged from the health facilities.

"Lahat ng konsulado ng ibang bansa ay hindi nakakapunta para direktang magbigay ng assistance sa mga quarantine facilities at hospital pero sinusundan po natin lahat ng 18 na 'yan, batid natin kung sino sila, alam natin ang contact numbers (All consulates of other countries here cannot go and directly bring assistance to quarantine facilities and hospitals but we are monitoring all the 18 Filipinos, we know who they are, we know their contact details)," Ignacio said in a televised briefing.

"Kung meron silang pangangailangan na special needs, 'yan po naidudulog natin ng diretsa sa Shanghai authorities para matulungan (If they have special needs, we coordinate this with the Shanghai authorities to help them)," Ignacio added.

The consulate is also on a lockdown like any other foreign consulate there, Ignacio said. But Filipinos may reach the consulate over their concerns through WeChat, email, and emergency numbers.

He said that the Shanghai government provides food packages every week to those affected by the lockdown enforced in the city. At present, "group orders" for essential goods per building are now allowed, he added.

The Consul General further said that there has yet to be a pronouncement from the Shanghai government about the lifting of lockdown, but experts are seeing a possible easing of restrictions by mid-May or in June.

"Ang payo po namin, tulad ng dati, kung meron po kayong pangangailangan na halimbawa hindi umaabot sa inyo yung ayuda ng Shanghai government, tawaga n'yo po kami...Kung mas mabigat na pangangailangan, naitataas pa ho natin 'yan sa mismong (Our advice is, like in the past, if you need assistance, for example, not receiving relief supplies from the Shanghai government, call us...If it's a more serious matter, we can directly coordinate it with the) Shanghai government through the foreign affairs office," Ignacio told overseas Filipinos in China, particularly in Shanghai.