Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon ASK Bagbin has revealed that 15 MP’s out of the 227 who showed up at Noguchie Memorial Institute for Covid19 test have tested positive for the virus.
In a statement sighted by Ahotoronline.com, speaker of parliament expressed worry over non compliance as many of the MPs are yet to take the test.
He therefore admonished all to take part in the process in ensuring the safety of all. As part of safety measures to control the spread of the virus in the house Parliament is scheduled to sit twice a week going forward.
Read the full statement below:
I make this statement today to formally inform honourable members of the COVID-19 situation in parliament and to update you of the results received so far from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on the testing of members and staff which ended yesterday.
The Institute has generously accepted to do a mop-up tomorrow Friday 5th February 2021. I want to urge members who haven’t taken the opportunity to do so to kindly do it tomorrow.
Reports from parliament’s medical centre reveal that 227 members submitted themselves for the test while others conducted their own tests at private medical facilities. I want to urge those who conducted their own tests at private medical facilities to submit the results of these tests to the director of the parliamentary medical centre.
Out of those who submitted themselves for the test in parliament, fifteen members of parliament tested positive for the virus. All the fifteen members have been conducted and advised to self-isolate. They have also been given prescriptions to facilitate their recovery.
Results of 193 staff received so far reveal that 56 of them tested positive for the virus. All the 56 staff have been contacted and advised to self-isolate. They have also been given prescriptions to facilitate their recovery.
Parliament is therefore taking steps to test the households of the thirteen members of staff and the 356 staff in order to avert re-infection upon their return from self-isolation and treatment
In consultation with leadership and the clerk, I have decided to implement the following measures to curb the further spread of the virus.
- The house will from text week sit twice a week. That is on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Only members of parliament and members of staff who are needed for the business of the house on those days will be allowed in the precincts of parliament from next week. This excluded members and staff who have tested positive.
Ahotoronline.com / Ivan Kyei Innocent
