15 MPs, 56 parliamentary staff test positive for Covid-19 – Alban Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has disclosed that 15 Members of Parliament (MPs) have tested positive for Covid-19.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Thursday, the Speaker indicated that this follows the testing of about 227 MPs by a team at the Noguchi Institute.
He also noted that 56 members of staff of the parliamentary service have also tested positive.
Mr Bagbin said that these MPs and staff have been asked to self-isolate while steps are being taken to ensure that members of their household are also tested.
“This will help avert reinfection upon their return from self-isolation and treatment. They have also been given prescriptions to facilitate their recoveries,” he stated.
He revealed that about 48 Members of Parliament, however, are still yet to undertake the test.
“The (Noguchi) institute has generously accepted to do a mop-up on Friday, February 5th. I want to urge members who haven’t taken the opportunity to do so tomorrow.”
Following this development, leadership will implement new measures to help curb the spread of Covid-19 in the House.
Mr Bagbin directed that from February 8 Parliament will sit for only 2 times in a week; on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In addition, “Only MPs and staff who are needed for the business of the house on those days will be allowed in the presence of Parliament.”
“This excludes members and staff who have tested positive and those who are yet to present themselves to the tests,” he added.
The Speaker urged other members who tested in private institutions to submit their results while those who are yet to test have been urged to do so.
Source :Myjoyonline
