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Abra solon is COVID-19 positive; four Lower House members now infected

Philippines | National

Abra solon is COVID-19 positive; four Lower House members now infected

By Ben R. Rosario

Abra lone district Rep. Joseph Bernos has disclosed having tested positive for COVID-19, making him the fourth member of the House of Representatives to get infected by the rampaging viral disease.

Abra Lone District Rep. Joseph Bernos

“I would like to inform the public that I have, once again, tested positive for COVID-19. I have been fully vaccinated with a booster shot and exhibited mild symptoms of the disease,” said Bernos in a statement released Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Aside from Bernos, Deputy Speaker Bienvenido Abante (6th District, Manila) and Reps. Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City) and Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga) have all been counted as among the thousands of Filipinos to get infected.

“As advised by my doctors, I am currently undergoing home quarantine, isolated from the rest of my family who, by the grace of God, have all tested negative,” said Bernos, chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusement.

He appealed for prayers for him and for all those suffering from the disease.

COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of at least three House members - Reps. Francisco Datol Jr. (Senior Citizens Partylist); Maria Bernardita Ramos (2nd District, Sorsogon) and Resurreccion M. Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City) since it hit the country in 2020. All were over 70 years old during their demise.

A senior administration lawmaker who requested anonymity aired the belief that there are many more congressmen who are currently infected with COVID-19 but have yet to reveal their condition to the media.

The four solons who have announced their COVID-19 positive tests are among the House members who are easily accessible to the media covering the Congress beat.

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