A Filipina who works as a domestic helper in Kuwait has become one of the latest additions to the people who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Philippine Embassy confirmed the case and noted that the Filipino patient had close contact with a person who traveled recently to the United Kingdom.
“Filipina Maid in Kuwait Tests Positive for COVID-19” – PH Embassy
In a statement shared by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the unnamed OFW is in stable condition, as officials from the embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) are currently monitoring her case, as shared in a report by The Inquirer.
The female domestic worker is the first confirmed Filipino case of COVID-19 in Kuwait, the embassy noted.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait urged all Filipinos to stay at home, follow the instructions of Kuwaiti authorities, and stay healthy during this time.
According to the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH), there are 121 overseas Filipinos who tested positive of the coronavirus as of Thursday noon (March 19).
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, there are currently 217 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 17 deaths.
Globally, over 200,000 have been infected and nearly 9,000 have died because of the viral disease. Despite this, over 84,000 have recovered.
In line with this update, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health have announced six new cases, four of whom have a recent trip from the UK while the other two had close contact with them, eventually acquiring the virus.
Meanwhile, Kuwait already made necessary measures to stop the spread of the virus, even shutting down its international airports as well as closing government offices for two weeks and declaring this period a holiday so that people will not be required to go to work.
In addition to this, all public spaces such as malls, restaurants, schools, universities, saloons all had suspended their operations.
And while the lone case of Filipino with COVID-19 in Kuwait is being monitored by health authorities, the Embassy reminds all Filipinos in Kuwait to stay at home, follow the instructions of Kuwaiti authorities, and stay healthy during this time.
As of now, the government said that there are about 55,000 Kuwaiti nationals overseas that they are intending to bring home.
In line with this, relevant government ministries are already coordinating in the return of their citizens from other countries, according to Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah.
And while there is currently a small daily increase in the number of infected individuals reported in the Gulf State, this could differ if the citizens abroad will return. Because of this, the government is taking all the necessary precautions to curb the spread of the disease.
While many countries have imposed travel bans to places where there is a notable increase in local transmissions of the virus, many governments are also planning to bring home their citizens or allow them to travel back into the country without any restriction, provided that they will undergo proper testing and comply with health and safety measures set by their country upon arrival.
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