MANILA, Philippines – A consultant of Senator Pia Cayetano and a staffer from the office of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. are the latest Senate personnel to have contracted coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Senate Secretary Myra Marie Villarica said that Cayetano’s consultant was present during the last session date on March 11, although she did not attend last Monday’s special session for the passage of a bill granting special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte.
This would be the second personnel in Cayetano’s office to test positive for the viral disease.
Meanwhile, Revilla’s staff member is currently confined at a hospital in Imus, Cavite due to pneumonia. The male staffer last reported to work last March 9, but it was eventually confirmed that he went to the Senate premises last March 16.
“The Senate will continue to coordinate with the Senators’ offices to address the needs and inquiries of the patients. The Senate Medical Team, following protocols, has immediately proceeded with contact tracing,” Villarica said in a statement posted on Senate’s official Facebook page.
“All employees are once again reminded to follow quarantine guidelines on the enhanced community quarantine. Further announcements and instructions will be made as needed,” she added.
This development brings the total number of infected personnel in the Senate to three.
Previously, several senators went on self-quarantine after it was confirmed that one of the Senate’s resource person for a committee hearing has COVID-19. At present, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Koko Pimentel, and Sonny Angara have contracted the disease.
As of Friday, the entire Luzon is still under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the rising COVID-19 cases. Health officials said that there are 803 patients infected, 54 of which have already died while least 31 have recovered.
Around the world, over 524,000 COVID-19 cases have been recorded, while 23,592 patients have died, and another 111,100 patients have recovered.