MANILA, Philippines – Six more Filipinos currently in Hong Kong have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of patients undergoing treatment in the business hub to 13.
This information was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, saying that the Hong Kong Health Department notified the Philippine Consulate General about the developments.
“Today, the Hong Kong Health Department officially informed the Philippine Consulate General that six (6) more Filipinos have tested positive for COVID-19,” DFA said in a statement.
“There are now thirteen (13) Filipino COVID-19 positive patients undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Hong Kong. The Philippine Consulate General is extending all necessary assistance to them,” they added.
These reports came a day after DFA said that four more Filipinos have been infected with the latest coronavirus strain.
READ: 4 more Filipinos in HK test positive for COVID-19, says PH consulate
According to DFA, the Philippine Consulate has appealed to Filipinos in Hong Kong to stay at home and to avoid crowded places to avoid contracting the disease.
“The Philippine Consulate strongly appeals to the Filipino community in Hong Kong to stay at home whenever possible and if there is a need to go out to make sure to avoid crowded places and practice social distancing,”
As of Wednesday, there are 410 COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, four of which have already died. In the Philippines, Luzon remains under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the rising COVID-19 cases.
Health officials said that there are already 636 patients who have been infected with COVID-19, 38 of which have already died while at least 26 have recovered.
Around the world, over 416,000 COVID-19 cases have been recorded, while 18,507 patients have died, and another 101,090 patients have recovered.
READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace
READ: COVID-19 cases in PH soar to 636 with 3 more deaths
The COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first emerged in China’s city of Wuhan in Hubei province in late 2019.
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.