DFA tallies 2,300 more COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad after 'late reporting' from Middle East
By Roy Mabasa
More than 2,300 cases of COVID-19 infections among Filipinos abroad were recorded on Sunday (May 31), spiraling the total number of confirmed cases by a staggering 80 percent in just one day, a report from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) showed.
Department of Foreign Affairs (MANILA BULLETIN)
The huge spike in the number of COVID-19 cases was attributed to what the DFA described as “late reporting” from the Middle East.
“The spike in numbers is due to some late reports received by our posts in the Middle East where many host governments implement strict data privacy and confidentiality rules,” the foreign affairs office said in a statement.
With the massive new figures in, this brings the total number of COVID-19 infections involving Filipinos abroad to 5,184.
“The latest increase in figures represents an accumulation of data that was only released yesterday,” the DFA explained.
It noted an increase in the total number of Filipinos who have recovered from the disease at 2,151, of which are 1,174 new recoveries in the Middle East.
Aside from the new recoveries, over 1,100 Filipinos are being treated but “do not require hospital care.” No new coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the latest tally.
The DFA also clarified that the number of fatalities has decreased by one from Saturday to 339 after one reported death in Europe was delisted after confirmation that the patient remains in critical condition.
Given the sudden surge in the number, the DFA said it will continue to work with and engage host governments for a more timely reporting of COVID-19 cases involving Filipinos abroad.
Department of Foreign Affairs (MANILA BULLETIN)
The huge spike in the number of COVID-19 cases was attributed to what the DFA described as “late reporting” from the Middle East.
“The spike in numbers is due to some late reports received by our posts in the Middle East where many host governments implement strict data privacy and confidentiality rules,” the foreign affairs office said in a statement.
With the massive new figures in, this brings the total number of COVID-19 infections involving Filipinos abroad to 5,184.
“The latest increase in figures represents an accumulation of data that was only released yesterday,” the DFA explained.
It noted an increase in the total number of Filipinos who have recovered from the disease at 2,151, of which are 1,174 new recoveries in the Middle East.
Aside from the new recoveries, over 1,100 Filipinos are being treated but “do not require hospital care.” No new coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the latest tally.
The DFA also clarified that the number of fatalities has decreased by one from Saturday to 339 after one reported death in Europe was delisted after confirmation that the patient remains in critical condition.
Given the sudden surge in the number, the DFA said it will continue to work with and engage host governments for a more timely reporting of COVID-19 cases involving Filipinos abroad.