18 out of almost 500 test positive for coronavirus in Senate

MANILA, Philippines — At least 18 personnel of the Senate tested positive for coronavirus in a rapid test conducted before the chamber resumed its session on Monday.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III initially said 12 contracted the virus – two are staff members of senators, a waiter and a page, while the rest came from the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

“Yes. Twelve as of now. Out of almost 500 tests,” Sotto III said in a text message.

He later said the number climbed to 15.

But as of 7 p.m., three more Senate employees tested positive in the rapid test, Senator Panfilo Lacson told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“18 as of now,” he said.

Lacson said these staff members “were immediately sent to different hospitals for isolation and confirmatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests.”

He added that the rapid testing for Senate employees will continue on Tuesday.

At least three senators had already tested positive for the virus: Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Sonny Angara.

The three were later tested negative, although Angara was again tested positive for the virus.

Despite the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Senate still decided to push through with the resumption of the session where 15 senators were physically present.

Meanwhile, seven other senators were allowed to participate virtually after the Senate adopted a resolution seeking to amend the Senate rules to allow plenary sessions via teleconferencing.