No COVID-19 outbreak at House despite 98 positive cases — SecGen

There is no outbreak of COVID-19 at the House of Representatives despite 98 individuals being tested positive for the disease, the chamber's secretary general said Wednesday.

At a media forum, House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said the 98 cases after a mass testing was conducted comprised only 5% of the almost 2,000 individuals who were tested.

"Hindi naman natin siya matatawag na outbreak kasi consistent, 5% lang siya ng total tested natin. So hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na outbreak," he said.

"Hindi natin pwede i-consider na outbreak kasi 5% lang at mild lang ang cases natin dito sa House," he added.

The House earlier conducted a mass COVID-19 testing for its members and employees beginning November 10 which yielded 98 cases of COVID-19.

Prior to this, a total of 93 COVID-19 cases were already reported at the House through a symptoms-based testing.

But Mendoza said the cases discovered prior to the mass testing are already deemed cleared and recovered, except for three employees and two lawmakers --- Senior Citizens party-list Representative Francisco Datol Jr. and Sorsogon Representative Ditas Ramos --- who died from the disease.

"Recovered na itong 93, nag-expire na yung iba. Considered as recovered na. Kung total cases, kasama ito. Pero itong 98 na ito as of November 20 ito ang total cases sa House," he said.

Mendoza also pointed out that most of the new cases reported got infected with COVID-19 through "community transmission," saying that they did not contract the virus from the House premises.

"May kumakalat na dito galing sa House. Hindi totoo yun so galing talaga sa labas, hindi nag-originate dito sa House ang transmission," he said.

Mendoza said the next mass testing will be conducted in January next year, before Congress resumes its session following the Christmas break.

He added that there are also plans to conduct mass vaccination at the House should it become available.

For now, strict health protocols are being implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the House offices and buildings, Mendoza said.

Lawmakers and employees also undergo regular testing especially when going inside the plenary hall.

The House also requires visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test result first before being allowed to enter the offices at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

They are likewise mandated to wear masks and face shields, pass through thermal scanners and disinfection machines, observe physical distancing, and submit an accomplished health declaration form before entering House premises. — RSJ, GMA News