No Pinoys infected with COVID-19 in Russia, 3 other countries so far —envoy

There were no reports yet of Filipinos based in Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the country’s Ambassador to Moscow Carlos Soretta said Friday.

“So far ho, fingers crossed, wala pa hong positive,” Soretta said in a televised briefing.

Thousands of people have already been infected with COVID-19 in those countries based on data from the World Health Organization. 

Soretta said the embassy is currently collecting data on Filipinos in Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus who plan to return to the Philippines if special charter flights are organized or once regular civilian flights resume.

“Madami na hong gustong umuwi once maka-return ang regular civilian flights,” he said.

He also said the embassy has provided food packs and shelter to displaced Filipino workers in Russia.

“So far sila ay [nasa] magandang kalagayan. Merong mga naghihirap ng konti pero ginagawa po namin ang lahat ng tulong na magagawa namin,” Soretta said. —LDF, GMA News