2 more House employees test positive for COVID-19, total cases now at 78

Two employees of the House of Representatives (HOR) tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, increasing the total number of its recorded COVID-19 cases to 78, the House Secretary General office’s said.

In a statement, the office of Secretary General Luis Montales reported that the 77th COVID-19 case is a member of the security staff, while the 78th is an employee under the Legislative Library Service.

“The security staff reported for work on September 7 and 9, rendering mostly office duties at their barracks. He got tested after experiencing diarrhea, body malaise, and fever,” the statement read.

“The second from the Legislative Library Service has been working from home since July 24. She experienced symptoms after taking care of her brother who was confined at a hospital due to some injuries,” the statement added.

A current member of the House, Representative Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party, announced that she tested positive for COVID-19 two days ago.

Other House members who earlier tested for COVID-19 include: Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, Mujiv Hataman of Basilan, Samier Tan of Sulu, Henry Villaric of Bulacan, Paul Daza of Northern Samar, Luis “JonJon Ferrer IV of Cavite and Eric Pineda of 1-Pacman party-list.

At least two incumbent House members died due to COVID-19: Ditas Ramos of Sorsogon and Francisco Datol of Senior Citizens party-list. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News