Operations at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) were suspended after 4 of its staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez announced on Sunday, July 19. 

Gutierrez said full disinfection procedures will be carried out in the office’s premises, following health and safety protocols. 

Initially, one staffer who was part of the Vice President’s COVID-19 response operations was found positive for the virus last week.

Gutierrez said work was immediately suspended and testing for concerned staff working at the OVP as well as those doing fieldwork was carried out.

Robredo was also tested and was found negative for the coronavirus. 

But 3 additional staffers tested positive for COVID-19. 

Gutierrez assured the public that the OVP’s outbreak response and assistance will continue despite the suspension of office operations. 

“Now that a handful of staffers have actually tested positive for the virus, and while we will take every precaution to protect the rest of our staff, our commitment to continue our work to support our nation’s COVID-19 response efforts remains firm and undimmed,” he said. 

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, Robredo and her staff have been providing assistance, including personal protective equipment, housing, and transportation for frontliners.

Her office also raised funds for the transportation of stranded Filipinos as well as livelihood and education assistance. – Rappler.com