The House of Representatives has recorded its 60th confirmed case of COVID-19.
"A congressional staff has tested positive for COVID-19. He last reported for work on Aug. 17. He developed symptoms and got tested in the province," House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales said. "This brings to fourteen (14) our total active cases," added Montales.
This was the fourth COVID-19 case confirmed by the House in two days, following the three cases -- two males and one female -- listed Saturday.
Also Saturday, the House confirmed the inclusion of Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza in the running total of active cases. Daza had earlier posted on Facebook his positive swab test result.
The Visayan was the sixth congressman to be stricken with the disease. Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur) and Mujiv Hataman (Basilan) and Reps. Samier Tan (Sulu), Henry Villarica (Bulacan), and Jun Datol (Senior Citizens party-list) have been earlier infected.
Datol, 71, was the first House member to die from COVID-19. The disease has claimed the lives of three House employees in past months.
There have been 28 COVID infections in the House since the second regular session began on July 27.
Meanwhile, Cavite 6th district Rep. Luis 'Jon-Jon' Ferrer IV became the potential 61st COVID-19 victim in the House after he announced on his official Facebook page Sunday afternoon that he had tested positive from a swab test.
Ferrer said he took the test after manifesting "flu-like symptoms."
"Mahirap man po itong tanggapin ay kailangan ko po itong harapin nang buong tatag at pananampalataya sa Diyos para po sa aking pamilya...Mabigat man ang hamon ng COVID-19, naniniwala po ako na malalampasan po ito ng inyong lingkod sa tulong ng inyong panalangin (Hard as this may be to accept, I need to face this resolutely and with devotion to God for the sake of my family...The danger posed by COVID-19 is great, but I still believe I can overcome this with the help of your prayers)," he wrote.
The House leadership has yet to acknowledge his positive test result as of posting time.