Another staff of the House of Representatives, the 10th since March, has tested positive for COVID-19.

House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales said the House employee is a congressional staff who last visited the Batasang Pambansa compound in Quezon City on May 21.

“Let’s pray for the recovery of our three (3) positive cases and the safety of their families,” Montales said in a Viber message.

The new COVID-19 patient is the second to be reported with the dreaded disease since Wednesday when Montales announced that a female employee of the Internal Audit Department has caught COVID 19.

On June 27, the eighth House employee, who is a legislative staff, was recorded in the chamber.

Of the I COVID 19 patients in the Lower House two died, an employe of the printing office and a 65-year-old male congressional staff.

Bulacan Rep. Henry Villarica also contracted the disease on March 12 and was reported to have quickly recovered.

The rising number in COVID-19 cases have been reported in the chamber as it prepares to host a special session soon to consider the passage of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One II.

“Protocols for handling positive cases and their close contacts are being observed.  Let’s remain cautious, let’s continue following our health and safety guidelines,” Montales announced.

Despite the sine die adjournment, many Lower House administrative and legislative offices are open and manned by skeleton forces.

House committees have been conducting virtual hearings, with a few panel members, particularly the committee chairman or vice chairmen, presiding over the proceedings in offices in the Batasan compound in Quezon City.The Lower House is also expected to be the venue for a virtual special session that will be called soon by President Duterte.