MANILA – Fifty-nine Filipinos in Singapore have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Philippine ambassador Joseph Del Mar Yap said on Wednesday.
Yap said in a virtual press conference that 27 of those who contracted the virus have already recovered while the 32 others are undergoing treatment in hospitals.
According to Yap, citing government data, there were around 200,000 Filipinos living and working in Singapore, which had 9,125 COVID-19 cases, the highest in Southeast Asia.
The Singapore on Tuesday extended its partial lockdown until June 1 from its original scheduled ending of May 4 to further contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Singapore’s confinement measures called “circuit breaker” involve closures of most workplaces and schools and only establishments that provide essential services such as food are allowed to operate.
Meanwhile, Yap said that around 300 displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already availed of the government’s one-time financial assistance of $200 (P10,000), while other displaced workers decided to go back to the Philippines.
The Department of Foreign Affairs data showed that a total 185 OFWs in Singapore returned to the country on Monday and Tuesday. The repatriated workers will undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days at a facility accredited by the government./PN
