COVID-19 cases at the House of Representatives now 42

MANILA, Philippines — Coronavirus disease cases at the House of Representatives have now reached 42 after two more personnel tested positive for the virus, Secretary-General Jose Luis Montales confirmed Wednesday.

Montales said the first new case is from the House committee on rules who reported for work from July 20 to August 5 and got tested after experiencing some symptoms including loss of sense of smell and decreased sense of taste.

The second case, meanwhile, is from the Grounds Maintenance Group who reported for work from July 20 to 30.

Montales said the second case came in close contact with a colleague who was earlier confirmed to be COVID-19 positive.

With the confirmation of the two cases, COVID-19 cases in the House are now at 42.

On Tuesday, Senior Citizens Partylist nominee Rodolfo Ordanes confirmed that Rep. Francisco Datol died due to acute respiratory distress brought by COVID-19.

House personnel, however, said that Datol is not yet a part of the tally of COVID-19 cases in the lower since they have yet to receive a confirmation regarding the matter.

Sessions in the House will likewise be suspended until Monday, August 17, in response to the clamor of its employees who still have to report to work regularly despite the recent upsurge of COVOD-19 cases in Metro Manila.

Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said that the session break will allow thorough disinfection of all offices and facilities in the House and to give employees a “brief respite” from the aggravation caused by the spike in COVID cases.

EDV