Amid ongoing preparations for the forthcoming special session of Congress, the House of Representatives reported Wednesday another employee, the ninth since March, who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales said the patient is a female employee assigned to h the Internal Audit Department of the Lower House. She reported for work on June 24.

So far, a total of nine COVID-19 victims have been reported in the chamber since the government imposed community quarantine last March.  

The other cases were two employees who died last March. One of them was an employee of the printing office while the other, a 65-year-old male, was a congressional staff. 

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

“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 said.

Despite the sine die adjournment, many Lower House administrative and legislative offices are open but are 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 complex in Quezon City.

The Lower House is also expected to be the venue for the virtual special session that will be called soon by President Duterte.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the special session will act on the proposed Bayanihan To Recover as One Act.