The number of Filipinos who contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) abroad has reached 203, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Thursday.

According to DFA data, 115 were recorded in the Asia Pacific region, 23 in the Middle East, 43 in Europe, and 22 cases in the Americas.

The DFA said at least 107 have already recovered or have been discharged from the hospital, while 93 are still undergoing treatment.

Of the confirmed cases, the number of deaths has increased to three, with the latest Filipino fatality recorded in Europe. The two others were Dr. Alan Ortiz, president of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations, and a Filipino from the Asia Pacific region.

In a statement, DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said the DFA is working closely with the Department of Health to come up with coordinated data to help monitor the conditions of Filipino patients abroad.

“With reference to deaths, the DFA is also very careful because people also die of other causes, and we do not want to ascribe the cause of death to Covid-19 unless it is absolutely verifiable,” he said. (PNA)