Lazaro-Javier in a separate statement said the staffer last reported for work on March 12, and left at around noon when she started having fever. The office was sanitized the following day.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 26) — The Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed that a staff member of Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier has been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease.
“We immediately informed and got in touch with all court personnel who may have had contact with the said staff of Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier. So far, they are all ok and in good health,” the high court’s spokesperson, Brian Hosaka, said in a statement.
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta earlier suspended work at the judiciary from March 16 to April 15 to prevent any spread of COVID-19. Only the courts and court offices handling urgent matters and cases were allowed to operate.
Peralta on March 19 tested negative for COVID-19 after exhibiting some symptoms upon returning from the Netherlands. He ordered the closure of all courts nationwide starting March 23 amid rising cases of COVID-19.
The Philippines now has 636 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 38 have died while 26 have recovered.
The staff member’s fever persisted from March 12-18 so she got tested on March 19, the magistrate said. The result came out positive on March 24, according to the city health office of Bacoor, Cavite.
To help with the contact tracing, Lazaro-Javier said the staffer regularly took SC Bus no. 8 to and from work and had no recent travel history overseas.
“All our staff have been observing proper health and hygiene measures and self-quaarntine since [Chief Justice’s] announcement regarding modified work schedules,” Lazaro-Javier said.
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
