The total number of Filipinos abroad who were afflicted with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now 203, the latest infographics from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) showed.
As of March 26, 2020, the DFA said the accumulated figures represent cases monitored in 26 different countries and regions. There were three confirmed deaths.
Of the 203 cases, 107 have recovered or were discharged from the various hospitals and health care facilities abroad.
Early this week, the DFA started using infographics as a method of communicating the number of COVID-19 cases involving Filipino nationals abroad due to concerns raised by some Philippine posts regarding the sharing of information.
The DFA said it is cautious in releasing information concerning COVID-19 cases of Filipinos abroad even as it hopes to find a “balance between transparency and protection of the welfare of our citizens abroad.”
Concerning deaths, the DFA stated that they do not want to ascribe the cause of death to COVID-19 “unless it is absolutely verifiable”. (Roy Mabasa)
