CNN Philippines (Metro Manila, May 10) — The Department of Foreign Affairs did not recorded any additional coronavirus cases and fatalities among Filipinos abroad on Sunday, the first time since it started reporting on nationals affected by the disease.
The number of Filipinos infected with COVID-19 remain at 2,178 and deaths at 253.
“While it could be that this is just a result of weekend dips in reporting, it is still worth taking note,” the department said in a tweet.
The DFA also reported two more Filipinos recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 642. The patients come from two different countries in Europe, it said.
The number of countries or regions across the globe have recorded cases of Filipinos getting infected with the virus also remains at 46. Europe has the most Filipino coronavirus cases at 651, followed by the Middle East and Africa at 616. They are followed by the Americas at 523 cases and the Asia Pacific region at 388.
Swab tests for returning OFWs
Meanwhile, hundreds of overseas Filipino workers also got tested for COVID-19 at the Palacio de Maynila mega swabbing center today, reported the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
Palacio de Maynila, which has 65 specimen collection booths, began operating three days ago. It is one of the country’s four mega swabbing centers, the other three being the Enderun Tent in Taguig City, Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, which is set to open this Monday.
Earlier, BCDA President and CEO and national policy against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon said the immediate goal is to conduct swab tests for up to 25,000 seafarers, land-based OFWs and overseas Filipinos in the coming days.
The government expects to conduct 5,000 tests per day with all four swabbing centers fully operating, said the BCDA.
The Philippines currently has 10,794 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 719 deaths and 1,924 recoveries.
Over 4 million have caught the coronavirus worldwide, while over 279,300 people have died from it, according to Johns Hopkins University.
