Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing to 55 the total count of confirmed infections in the House of Representatives.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Daza confirmed that he was diagnosed as COVID-19 positive yesterday, August 25.
“I am now hospitalized and look forward to being discharged upon clearance by my doctors,” Daza said.
He said he returned home to Catarman from Manila on August 8 after undergoing a swab test in which he tested negative for the disease.
“I went around the towns of our district and met with local officials, community leaders and common people, especially the most vulnerable. I also inspected the projects that I had sponsored and the sites for the future ones,” Daza said.
He recounted that on the evening of August 16, he started feeling unwell and isolated himself while continuously working from their house in Daganas.
“I also took medications prescribed by our local doctors, Because I continued to feel sick, I travelled back to Manila on August 24 on the advice of the doctors. I went straight to the hospital for examination and tests,” he said.
Following the Department of Health (DOH) protocols, the House leader took the opportunity to ask those who had been with him anytime in the few days before August 16 up to August 24 to get in touch with the local health authorities.
Daza said he also instructed his staff in Congress and Daganas field office to immediately initiate a through contract tracing in coordination with local officials and health authorities.
“In the meantime, I shall continue to do my work in the House of Representatives from my hospital room through teleconferencing and online mode,”said the vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
“I wish all of you the strength of mind, body, and spirit as our country, the Philippines and our beloved Northern Samar courageously deal with COVID-19. As always, thank you for your continuing support. Together, in God’s time, we will overcome and rise,” Daza said in closing.
Daza is the sixth House member confirmed to have caught the disease, next to Senior Citizens partylist Rep. Francisco “Jun” Datol, who died on August 10 due to complications brought about by COVID-19.
Other House members who contracted COVID-19 are Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Sulu 1st District Rep. Samier Tan, and Bulacan 4th District Rep. Henry Villarica.