Filipinos abroad with COVID-19 exceeds 2,000

The number of Filipinos abroad who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) breached 2,000 on Friday after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 218 new infections, bringing the total to 2,140.

Most of the new cases reported were from the Middle East.

"These sudden increases compared to yesterday’s figures are due to limitations on the release of daily verified reports on foreign nationals afflicted with COVID-19 in most countries in the said region," the DFA said.

Meanwhile, recoveries rose to 574 after 17 more patients recovered from the illness while the death toll abroad increased to 244 with 22 new fatalities.

"[The] latest figures show that the total number of Filipinos who recovered from COVID-19 at 574 remains more than twice than the total fatalities and comprises about 27% of the total confirmed cases," it said.

A total of 1,322 individuals were still undergoing treatment.

8 May 2020

Today, the total number of COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad breached the 2,100 mark with 218 new confirmed cases and 22 new deaths, mostly recorded in the Middle East. These sudden increases compared to yesterday’s figures are due to limitations on the (1/3) pic.twitter.com/loZapj8NXp

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) May 8, 2020

Based on data from the DFA, there were no reported changes in the Asia Pacific region. The number of patients undergoing treatment remained at 132, recoveries at 239, and fatalities at two.

Meanwhile, patients undergoing treatment jumped to 531 in the Middle East or Africa while recoveries rose to 48 with 12 new cases. Eighteen more fatalities in the region brought the death toll to 37.

In Europe, patients undergoing treatment increased to 417. Recoveries and fatalities were meanwhile recorded at 153 and 77, respectively.

The death toll in the Americas remained at 128 while patients who have recovered are at 134. Patients undergoing treatment was at 242. — DVM, GMA News