NORTHERN Samar Rep. Paul Daza was tested positive for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), the sixth lawmaker on record who caught the deadly disease and could be the 55th case of the House of Representatives as of press time Thursday.
Daza said he was diagnosed COVID-19 positive last Tuesday.
“I am now hospitalized and look forward to being discharged upon clearance by my doctors,” Daza said.
As of posting time Thursday, the official data of House Secretary General Atty. Jose Luis G. Montales on COVID-19 positive in the House of Representatives is 54, excluding Daza’s case.
Earlier, COVID-19 claimed the life of Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Francisco “Jun” Datol Jr.
Three other congressional staff and members of the secretariat of the House of Representatives died.
Four lawmakers, namely, Bulacan Rep. Henry Villarica and Sulu Rep. Shamier Tan and Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur and Mujiv Hataman of Basilan were among those who have caught the disease.
According to Daza, he went to Catarman from Manila on August 8 after undergoing a swab test in which he tested negative for the disease.
“I went around the towns of our district and met with local officials, community leaders and common people, especially the most vulnerable.
I also inspected the projects that I had sponsored and the sites for the future ones,” Daza said.
But in the evening of August 16, Daza said he started to feel sick, prompting him to isolate himself while continuously working from their house in Daganas.
“I also took medications prescribed by our local doctors. Because I continued to feel sick, I travelled back to Manila on August 24 on the advice of the doctors. I went straight to the hospital for examination and tests,” he said.
Citing protocols from the Department of Health (DOH), Daza asked those who had been with him anytime in the few days before August 16 up to August 24 to get in touch with the local health authorities for contact tracing.
“In the meantime, I shall continue to do my work in the House of Representatives from my hospital room through teleconferencing and online mode,” said Daza.
“I wish all of you the strength of mind, body, and spirit as our country, the Philippines and our beloved Northern Samar courageously deal with COVID-19. As always, thank you for your continuing support. Together, in God’s time, we will overcome and rise,” Daza said.
