MANILA - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Thursday closed its head office in Pasay City after a resource person who recently attended a Senate hearing tested positive for the contagious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"In light of the confirmation that a resource person who attended a hearing at the Senate (housed in the GSIS building) tested positive for COVID-19, the GSIS Head Office in Pasay City is temporarily closed as an urgent precautionary measure," the GSIS said in an advisory.

With the closure, GSIS urged members, pensioners and other clients to use online channels and platforms such as the Electronic GSIS Member online, GSIS Contact Center (8847-4747‬ for calls within Metro Manila; 1-800-8-847-4747 for Globe subscribers; and 1-800-10-847-4747 for Smart subscribers), Email - ‪gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph‬, GSIS website, GSIS Facebook account, and GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) Kioks for records verification, inquiries and other transactions.

“GSIS earnestly appeals for your understanding and cooperation. The health and safety of the stakeholders, as well as the officials and employees, will always remain as the pension fund's top priority,” it added.

Several government officials are already on self-quarantine, including key Cabinet officials, Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade and Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, and Senators Win Gatchalian and Nancy Binay after exposure to confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Aside from the senators, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno said on Facebook live video that he will go on self-quarantine following his trip to the United Kingdom.

Under the protocol of the health department, undergoing self-quarantine means isolating oneself for 14 days.

The Philippines has recorded, as of Wednesday afternoon, 49 positive cases of COVID-19, from a new strain of coronavirus that started in Wuhan City, China.

COVID-19 may be fatal for the elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with underlying medical condition but 80 percent of cases globally showed a high chance of recovery "without needing special treatment," according to the World Health Organization.

WHO said COVID-19 symptoms include fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.