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Pinoy Abroad

38 Filipinos in Australia infected with COVID-19 -ambassador

By VIRGIL LOPEZ,GMA News

Thirty-eight Filipinos contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Australia but most of them have already recovered, Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega said Monday.

All 38 cases involved seafarers and only one person has yet to be cleared of the virus, De La Vega said in televised briefing.

The ambassador also lauded Australia's COVID-19 tracking app, which helps the government identify, trace and isolate potential carriers of the disease. She said the Philippines can adopt the strategy.

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"I would really believe na nakatulong po iyon sa ating population dito sa Australia. It's one of the best practices na puwede po nating mai-apply sa Philippines dahil tayo rin po ay puwede nating sabihin na a cellphone country if I may call it that way," De La Vega said.

Still, De La Vega underscored the importance of following the government's social distancing protocols and the practice of self-discipline in preventing the further spread of the virus.

Australia has reported 6,948 COVID-19 cases, with 6,167 recoveries and 97 deaths. --KBK, GMA News