17 Filipinos have died of Covid-19 in US Midwest

The Philippine Consulate in Chicago reports that 17 Filipinos have died from coronavirus in midwestern states.

CHICAGO – Half of the 17 Filipino Americans who have died of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in midwestern United States were working in the health care sector, according to the Philippine Consulate General here on Wednesday.

In a Laging Handa briefing, Consul General Gina Jamoralin said there are 42 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among Filipino Americans in the entire region.

Amid the pandemic, the diplomat noted that Filipinos have been staying home, except for the front-liners and those in the essential services.

“Actually, all of the Midwest states… we are currently on a stay-at-home order except the three states of Iowa and the Dakotas,” she said.

She said the Chicago consulate has provided support and assistance to the stranded Filipinos in the region.

At least 21 holders of J1 visas have so far been repatriated to the Philippines, eight of whom were funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ assistance-to-nationals fund.

“The rest of the stranded Filipinos, many of them opted to stay here for a little while,” she said.

Jamoralin added that a social media campaign was also launched to help disseminate humanitarian projects of Filipino organizations.

This includes donating food and humanitarian assistance to front-liners and selected Filipino communities.