Recently, news regarding a Filipina domestic helper in Dubai acquiring Novel Coronavirus that soon succumbed to demise circulated online. The news was also verified by Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
However, according to a local news outlet in Dubai, the Filipina actually passed away due to a different reason and not because of the coronavirus which was first reported by GMA News.
It was found out that the 58-year-old Filipina passed away due to pneumonia and not coronavirus, as confirmed by the Dubai government.
According to the Dubai government, the Filipina had a respiratory infection which is a common symptom of the novel coronavirus. But after several tests, it was revealed that she is negative for novel coronavirus.
“@DXBMediaOffice denies false statements attributed to the Philippine Labour Secretary regarding a Filipina dying in Dubai due to the coronavirus. The cause of death was pneumonia and the woman had tested negative for novel coronavirus,” says a Tweet from the Government of Dubai Media Office.
In an interview, Bello personally confirmed that the Filipina in Dubai actually acquired coronavirus.
“Initially, sabi hindi coronavirus. That was February 1 report, hindi coronavirus. Pero February 2, coronavirus na,” says Bello.
The Filipina who passed away was from General Santos City and worked in Dubai for the past 22 years.
