House employee who tested positive for COVID-19 dies —Rep. Nograles

An employee of the House of Representatives who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) died early Sunday morning, according to PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles.

According to Nograles, the said employee, whom he did not identify, died at 1:45 a.m.

He likewise did not disclose which division the said employee worked at the House.

"Nalulungkot ang buong Kamara de Representantes. At the same time, nababahala din kami at kinakabahan din kami kung sino ba ang kaniyang mga nakausap," Nograles said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV on Sunday.

Nograles called on the House leadership to immediately conduct contact tracing at the chamber. He also urged his fellow lawmakers to be transparent with their staff and visitors regarding the development.

"'Yung importante dito ay dapat maisagawa na ang contact tracing at sana ang House of Representatives ay maging transparent dito para maging example naman ito sa lahat ng mga kompanya," he said.

"Ito ay kasama sa panawagan ng Pangulo na dapat transparent tayo at dapat aware tayo, at 'yung mga proper protocols and community quarantine guidelines ay masusunod. Ginagawa ko 'yung aking part na ini-inform ko mga kapwa ko kongresista, mga members of the press, lahat, na ito 'yung pangyayari," he added.

As of Saturday evening, the Department of Health said there were 111 positive cases of COVID-19 infection in the country, of which eight have died.

As a precautionary measure, the House of Representatives conducted intensive cleaning and disinfection of its premises from Friday until Sunday.

Work at the House will also be suspended beginning Monday until April 12, consistent with the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, however, invited the media to a press conference at the House on Monday. He did not state what the press conference is about. —KG, GMA News