Lawmaker's staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 dies

A staff member of a lawmaker who tested positive for COVID-19 passed away on Saturday.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that a member of the Congressional staff of one of our Members passed away less than an hour ago," House of Representatives Secretary General Atty. Jose Luis G. Montales said in a message sent to reporters on Saturday past 9 a.m.

Montales did not identify the male staff member but confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19.

"Our Medical Director has just received word from DOH (Department of Health) that the Congressional staff who passed away less than an hour ago tested positive for COVID-19," he added.

The staff member was 65 years old and had other medical conditions.

Montales said the staff member did not travel to any country with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Neither did he have any known exposure to a person confirmed to have COVID-19.

The said staff member reported for work for the last time on March 4, Montales said.

On March 7, he was at a garden wedding in Almanza, Cavite.

On March 10, the staff member went to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City due to low-grade fever. Tests showed normal results, thus he was sent home for further observation.

On March 11, he began having dry cough and his fever persisted.

Two days later, on March 13, he went back to SLMC-QC due to worsening symptoms. He was intubated and admitted to the critical care unit.

On March 15, the staff member was transferred to the ICU, was considered a Person Under Investigation, and was tested for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 test result came out positive, the DOH informed the House of Representatives medical director on Saturday. —KG, GMA News