MANILA, Philippines — Eighty-five Filipinos outside of the Philippines have contracted the COVID-19 or novel coronavirus disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
In a press conference at the DOH main office, Health Chief Francisco Duque III said most of the Overseas Filipinos (OF) infected by the deadly virus were crewmen from the quarantined cruise ship MV Diamond Princess that was docked in Japan.
“Japan recorded the most with 80 crewmen, 70 are admitted and 10 are discharged,” Duque said.
Meanwhile, DOH also recorded one confirmed case of the novel coronavirus from a Filipino in Singapore, who is isolated at National Centre for Infectious Diseases.
Two cases were also reported in the United Arab Emirates, a 34-year-old Filipino who tested positive for the virus on Feb. 22, and another Filipino who was infected by the deadly virus on Feb. 8.
In Hong Kong, there are two Filipinos who were infected by the virus. The recent confirmed case in Hong Kong involved a 29-year-old Filipina who is admitted to a health facility in Hong Kong.