DFA: Almost half of COVID-19 patients among overseas Filipinos have recovered
By Betheena Unite
Almost half of the confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among Filipinos abroad have already recovered, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday (June 13).
Of the total 5,519 confirmed cases among overseas Filipinos, 2,485 have recovered and been discharged, with a total of 116 new recoveries, the agency said.
“This one spike in reported recoveries brings the total number of Filipino nationals who have recovered from the disease to almost 2,500, which is 45 percent of the total confirmed cases,” the Foreign Affairs agency said.
While a spike in recoveries was recorded, the number of confirmed cases continue to rise, with 29 more confirmed cases across the main geographic regions. The death toll among Filipinos abroad reached 400, with five patients succumbing to COVID-19 per a report Saturday.
Regional comparative data showed that to date, the Middle East still has the most COVID-19 cases at over 3,400, as well as the most total recoveries and total patients undergoing treatment at 1,880 and 1,379, respectively. The Americas still have the highest number of fatalities at 160, followed by the Middle East at 147.
Meanwhile, a total of 40,930 overseas Filipinos (OFs) have already been repatriated by the department since it began bringing back Filipinos affected by the pandemic in February.
Of this number, 58 percent (23,714 OFs) are sea-based and 42 percent (17,216 OFs) are land-based, with the most recent repatriates arriving from Germany and Saudi Arabia Friday.
The agency also reiterated that OFs who wish to be repatriated are requested to signify their interest to the embassies or consulates general nearest their area. (Betheena Unite)