The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that an overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) died of a still undetermined strain of coronavirus in Dubai late last month.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said a report from their Labor Attache in Dubai described the victim as a 58-year-old mother from General Santos City, who died last January 29.

The Filipina has been working in Dubai for 28 years as a household service worker (HSW).

“She died in Dubai. An initial report said it is not coronavirus that was February 1 report but on February 2, the report said it was coronavirus na (already). I met the daughter earlier and they are going there kasi kapag coronavirus i-cremate agad (because if it’s coronavirus then that’s immediate cremation),” he said.

Bello said they will be assisting the relatives of the OFW to Dubai.

“The sister of the OFW wants to go there and probably bringing home the remains and she is bringing with her the daughter, the only child of the OFW,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bello said they are also ready to give assistance to a Filipino crew member of a cruise ship in Japan, who was among those that tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

“We will give all the assistance. And besides, the manning agency is providing all the assistance,” he added.

The OFW, who is a waiter, is part of the 538 crew members, who are all from the Philippines.

Asked if they will be repatriated, Bello said, “Hindi muna. Papagaling muna sila doon saka namin sila pababalikin (Not yet. They should get well first there before we can bring them back).”

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause infections from the common cold to more deadly illnesses such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

A new strain, the 2019 novel coronavirus, has killed hundreds of people. It was first traced in Wuhan, China. (PNA)