MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives recorded Tuesday four more cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total of confirmed cases in the lower chamber to 27.
House Secretary General Jose Luis G. Montales said the first new case involves a member of the security staff who was tested on Sunday ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.
“He was tested last Sunday, and has been on home isolation, as part of the protocols for the SONA. He was advised of the result of his RT-PCR test early morning of Monday,” Montales said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Montales said that the driver of Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel, who earlier tested positive for COVID-19, has also contracted the disease.
The remaining two cases are members of the housekeeping staff also tested positive, said Montales.
Of the 27 cases, two are lawmakers namely Pimentel, who disclosed to the media his positive results on Monday, and Sulu 1st District Rep. Samier Tan.