House confirms congressman, staff writer test positive for COVID-19

A congressman and a House of Representative's staff writer tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, just two days before President Rodrigo Duterte was scheduled to give his State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa.

According to House Secretary-General Atty. Jose Luis G. Montales, Representative Samier A. Tan (1st District of Sulu) tested positive for COVID-19.

The last time Tan was at the Batasang Pambansa was last May 18. He was asymptomatic and home quarantined in Sulu.

Meanwhile, a Committee Publication Staff Writer also tested positive. The House employee last reported for work on July 8 and was not known to have interacted with any co-workers.

The employee was tested after developing a fever with cold symptoms. The worker was home quarantined as well.

Montales also revealed that they had received a report that a House member's consultant had tested positive for COVID-19.

“The consultant went to HRep on July 14 & 15. On both occasions, she worked alone in their office. She also went to a bank in HRep Complex on July 15,” explained the House secretary-general.

The consultant was asymptomatic and under home isolation.

“Contact tracing is ongoing,” added Montales.

All lawmakers and their staff who will be attending the SONA on Monday will have to undergo swab and rapid tests for COVID-19.

Duterte will also take the swab test, according to Malacañang. — DVM, GMA News