ANOTHER employee at the House of Representatives has tested positive for Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales, in a statement issued Tuesday, March 17, said the second patient also came from the printing service office of the House.
"He last reported for work on March 5. He went on leave on March 6, and was admitted to the hospital on March 7. Our prayers will come a long way for him. Let us keep praying for his recovery and for his family's health," Montales said.
Montales added that the patient's initial diagnosis was dengue. He was tested for Covid-19 only on March 12.
The first case, a 55-year-old male from the same office, died on Sunday, March 15, from Covid-19.
Upon confirmation of the first case, the House announced new work arrangements that include a rotational skeletal workforce and work from home or on-call schemes.
"Let us follow the HRep safety protocols, the community quarantine, and the social distancing guidelines," Montales said.
He also urged the public not to panic, adding that the "spread of the disease can be controlled with everyone's cooperation."
As of March 16, the Department of Health said it has recorded 142 Covid-19 cases, with 12 deaths and three recovered patients. (VoxPop Philippines)
