Hontiveros staff who had a miscarriage positive for COVID-19

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday confirmed that one of her staff members, who just had a miscarriage, has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019.

In a statement, Hontiveros said that Atty. Jaye dela Cruz Bekema, her chief legislative officer, had informed her that she tested positive for COVID-19 just five days after she told her that he had lost her baby at 18 weeks.

The senator said she was saddened by the development, as it was not long ago that she celebrated with Bekema after the latter announced that she was pregnant and would be able to avail of the 105-day expanded maternity leave that they worked on together.

"[Atty. Jaye] has been under self-quarantine since the start of the ECQ and has not been to the Senate since March 9. She is complying with all DOH guidelines on home-based COVID management," Hontiveros said.

"Rest assured, our office is doing all that we can to support her and to attend to her needs. We would also like to ask for your prayers for Atty. Jaye during this difficult time," she added.

Bekema was not the first staff member of a senator who contracted COVID-19. Last month, a male staff of Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. died due to the virus after being confined to a hospital in Imus, Cavite “due to an initial diagnosis of pneumonia.”

Somes senators also tested positive for the virus, including Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, and Sonny Angara.

Angara, in fact, had already recovered from COVID-19, but he announced on Saturday that he once again tested positive for the disease.

As of Saturday, a total of 8,928 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Philippines, with 602 deaths and 1,124 recoveries. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News