SC justice's staff tests positive for COVID-19

A staff member of Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee last reported for work on March 12 and experienced fever from March 12 to 18, with the test result released on March 24.

Court spokesman Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka confirmed the case and stated that all identified close contacts have been informed and are currently in good health.

The office of Justice Lazaro-Javier reported that their office was sanitized on March 13 and that all staff have been observing proper health and hygiene measures and self-quarantine.

The staff member regularly commuted via SC Bus No. 8 and had no recent overseas travel.

Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta had previously tested negative for COVID-19.

The Supreme Court has established a COVID-19 Task Force to oversee the health and safety of court officials and employees nationwide.

All courts nationwide are currently on physical shutdown, with personnel only reporting for urgent matters, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in the country.