The House of Representatives is mourning the death of another employee due to COVID 19 – the third fatality among workers of the legislative chamber infected with the deadly novel coronavirus.

The latest to die was an employee of the Bills and Index Service. He succumbed Wednesday to complications caused by COVID 19, just one day after his condition was reported to the Lower House.

There are now 18 House employees and officials who tested positive for COVID 19. A total of 12, including Bulacan Rep. Henry Villarica, have recovered.

The death of the BIS employee was reported three days before the scheduled State of the Nation Address of President Duterte.

“We are deeply saddened to know that he passed away early this morning. He had been working from home since June 18, but he went to their office last June 29 to submit some documents” disclosed Secretary General Jose Luis Montales.

Montales said the 52-year-old fatality was hospitalized on July 17 and tested positive on July 20. He was also diagnosed with hypertension.

The COVID 19 situation in the chamber has resulted in the death of two more employees, a 65-year-old congressional staff and a member of the printing office who died in March, 2020.

The recent death came at a time that the Lower House is preparing to host the SONA on Monday.

Aside from security measures, House authorities are taking thorough measures to ensure COVID 19 safety among guests and members who will attend the Monday event.

President Duterte reportedly insists on delivering his fifth SONA at its usual venue, the plenary hall of the Batasan Pambansa building in Quezon City.

Many congressional offices are closed or are manned by skeletal forces as a result of the rising cases of COVID 19 with at least six new infections reported this month alone.

Despite the COVID 19 threat and the current adjournment, various House committees continue to hold legislative deliberations and hearings, mostly on bills aimed at addressing the economic and social impact of the pandemic.