COVID-19 positive returning Pinoys hit 5,742

MANILA, Philippines — The number of returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 jumped to 5,742, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Based on the DOH’s “COVID-19 Philippine Situationer,” a total of 260,211 ROFs arrived in the country since the start of the pandemic. Of the figure, 5,742 were confirmed positive for the deadly virus.

Among the ROFs who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Aug. 21, the greater number or 3,024 were land-based workers while 2,718 were sea-based.

Of the COVID-positive ROFs, 633 are still confined in hospitals while 4,904 have recovered and five have died.

According to the DOH, 254,040 ROFs have been released from quarantine facilities.

Aside from those who have returned from various countries, DOH said there were 1,907 cases of Filipinos staying overseas who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The figure, DOH said, represents only 19 percent of the total 9,975 Filipinos abroad confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DOH also reported that there are 234 foreign nationals in the country who have been confirmed positive for COVID.

Repatriated Pinoys

A total of 144,795 distressed Filipinos impacted by the pandemic were repatriated since February, the DFA said. Last week, the department brought home 9,505 overseas Filipinos.

Of the total, 55,159 or 38.1 percent are sea-based, while 89,636 or 61.9 percent are land-based.

The government has ordered recruitment agencies to provide temporary shelters and other necessary assistance to the growing number of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) or face sanctions.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has ordered that all LSIs be provided assistance “in the form of, but not limited to temporary accommodation, food ,COVID-19 test, and transportation back to their respective provinces.”

Meanwhile, 23 Filipino seafarers tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in China, POEA reported.

In an advisory issued Aug 19, POEA chief Bernard Olalia announced that the Chinese government, in reaction to the news, is now requiring Filipino seafarers to submit certification of COVID-19 negative test prior to entry. – Pia Lee-Brago