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Sotto orders review of Senate health protocols

Philippines | National

Sotto orders review of Senate health protocols

By Mario Casayuran

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III today ordered a review of the health protocols being followed in the Senate.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Sotto’s directive followed the admission last Friday of Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa that he has been tested positive of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Also tested positive was Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña. Dela Rosa and Lapeña were both at the Senate session hall last week.

Sotto said the Senate secretariat is now studying the effectiveness of the health protocols being followed in the Senate.

The Senate is reportedly being disinfected every day.

Sotto stressed that he has tested double negative.

This was the result of his RT-PCR test yesterday, the Senate chief said.

Last early Saturday morning, Sotto was also found negative following an antigen test.

Other senators had themselves tested after learning that dela Rosa was found positive.

Several senators, including Sotto, were at the Senate session hall last Friday night till early Saturday morning because of floor debates on the budgets of several government departments and agencies.

Last Friday night, dela Rosa already advised his colleagues that he was tested COVID-19 positive. His staff later posted his medical status through his Viber account last Saturday morning.

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