Repatriates account for most new virus cases, DOH says
THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, said repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) accounted for most of the new cases of coronavirus infection in the country in the months of May and June.
In her virtual press briefing Wednesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that as of June 30, 92, 967 land and sea-based OFWS have returned to the country.
“As of June 30, 2020, mayroon po tayong 92,967 returning overseas workers na dumating - land-based ay 39,643, at sea-based, 53,324,” she said.
Vergeire said 2,326 of these returning OFWS contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
She added that 1,213 of the infected repatriates are land-based, while 1,113 are sea-based.
“Ayon sa ginawang initial analysis, may indikasyon na karamihan ng mga bagong kaso sa mga buwan ng Mayo at Hunyo ay dahil sa mga repatriates kumpara noong Marso at Abril na karamihan ay healthcare workers,” Vergeire said.