Over 1,000 OFWs test positive upon return

MANILA, Philippines — Over 1,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who returned home from various countries have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Department of Health.

DOH data showed that 1,028 of the 50,175 returning OFWs were confirmed positive for COVID as of June 2. Of the number, 480 have been admitted to hospital.

A COVID-related death was also reported among the returning OFWs, while 125 of them had recovered from the infection.

Based on DOH records, 37,026 of the OFWs were sea-based while land-based workers accounted for 13,149. Of those infected, 799 were land-based.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reiterated that the DOH allows testing for asymptomatic persons who have exposure to COVID positive patients.

“Our expanded testing protocol includes those asymptomatic with exposure. The protocol also states that once we already have laboratory capacity, we may include asymptomatic even without exposure in our target testing,” Vergeire said.

Confirmed cases exceed 20,000

Meanwhile, confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide have exceeded 20,000 yesterday even as the DOH claimed “small victories” in the fight against the disease.

Vergeire said the total number of COVID cases has reached 20,382, including 634 newly reported cases.

Of the newly reported cases, 313 were fresh while 321 were laboratory results released late.

The National Capital Region and Central Visayas continue to account for the bulk of fresh cases.

The DOH also reported a total of 95 new recoveries, bringing to 4,248 the number of patients who recovered from the infection. COVID-related fatalities jumped to 984 with 10 more deaths.

Vergeire said the government has also issued an administrative order granting P1-million death benefit for health workers who succumbed to COVID as provided under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.

According to Vergeire, the government decided not to issue implementing rules and regulations and instead issue an administrative order to hasten the release of cash assistance for the health workers who died in performing their duties as frontliners.

Baby Kobe dies

In a related development, two-month old Kobe Manjares who survived the COVID has succumbed to another illness.

Relatves of Manjares confirmed that the country’s youngest recorded survivor died early yesterday morning at a Quezon City hospital.

Kobe was just five days old when diagnosed to be positive for COVID on April 5. He was discharged from the National Children’s Hospital after almost two weeks of confinement.

However, the infant was rushed again to the hospital due to fever and bloated stomach.

Ronel, the child’s father, said his son had survived the virus, but died from another infection.

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