2 Pinoys tested positive for COVID-19 in Japan, says Philippine ambassador

Two more Filipinos in Japan got infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to Philippine Ambassador Jose Laurel on Wednesday.

"Dalawa lang hong Pilipino ang tested positive. Ang isa ay nasa Osaka, ang isa ay nasa Nagoya," Laurel said in a virtual briefing.

He added that this is "not alarming" as the number of cases is small compared to the 325,000 total Filipino community population in Japan.

Further, Laurel said only one of the 80 Filipinos who got infected inside the M/V Diamond Princess remains hospitalized in Japan.

"Yung [mga] negative nakauwi na. 'Yung positive isa pa ang nasa ospital dahil  sinisigurong pag-discharge niya ay hindi makakahawa," the ambassador said.

In February, over 400 Filipinos from the cruise ship were repatriated amid the COVID-19 scare. They had been subjected to a 14-day mandatory quarantine in Tarlac.

As of March 31, there are 368 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among overseas Filipinos in 30 countries, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. --Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News