A mass COVID-19 testing of Ghanaian MPs and parliamentary staff will begin today, Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
In his welcome address as Parliament resumed sitting Tuesday, Prof Mike Oquaye assured members and all staff that the necessary steps will be taken to protect them.
“In addition to observing the established protocols, I have directed the clerk and parliament’s medical officers to immediately conduct tests for all honorable members and staff of the parliamentary service for Covid-19,” Prof Oquaye said.
Before the House went on recess, 15 persons were placed under self-quarantine after they returned from an official trip abroad. They included 10 Members of Parliament and five staff of the Parliamentary Service.
It is not known if any of them were tested during the period or if any of them contracted the disease.
The Speaker said while there is no approved vaccine, it was important to “adhere to all laid down hygiene protocols to abate the spread.”
“These include washing of hands with soap under running water, cleaning of hands with clean disposable paper, application of approved hand sanitizers, wearing of approved masks while in public and observing social distancing which are requisites for keeping us safe,” he directed.
Prof Oquaye praised all frontline workers for their continuous demonstration of unwavering commitment to the fight against Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
Parliamentary Correspondents are also expected to be tested.
Ghana’s COVID-19 case count
Ghana has recorded 178 new COVID-19 cases to increase the caseload to 6,096, according to a late evening update by the Ghana Health Service on Tuesday.
The death toll still stands at 31 with 19 more recoveries recorded, making the total 1,773. Eight people are in critical condition, according to the update.
The total number of tests administered as of May 19, 2020 was 184, 343.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
Email Daily Mail GH: stories@dailymailgh.com or
Whatsapp: +233(0)509928122
