No Filipinos affected by Covid-19 surge in Thailand – PH envoy

Ambassador Millicent Paredes — Photo from Philippine embassy in Bangkok

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipinos have been affected by the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Thailand, said Ambassador Millicent Paredes of the Philippine embassy in Bangkok.

Paredes made the remark on Wednesday, following reports that COVID-19 cases are rising in several Southeast Asian nations, such as Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

READ: DOH: COVID cases in PH declining amid spike in other Asean countries

“The good news is that we have not received any news that there are Filipinos affected by this surge of COVID-19 cases,” said Paredes in Filipino during an interview over Radyo 630.

“No one has reached out to us or told us that they are presently confined, so I would presume no one is affected,” she added.

According to her, there are about 40,000 Filipinos in Thailand — most of them are English teachers who are exposed to people, particularly students.

“We have not received any report, and I hope it remains that way. I hope our Filipino community doesn’t get affected because, as you know, there are around 40,000 Filipinos in the entire Kingdom of Thailand, most of whom are English teachers,” said Paredes.

Paredes believes that the Thai government is prepared amid the uptick in COVID-19 cases. Therefore, she urged Filipinos in the area to approach the embassy should they need assistance.

Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa assured the public that there is still no reason to be alarmed despite the rise in COVID-19 cases in several Asian countries. /das