Parliament: It’s not true that 200 MPs tested positive for Covid-19

Parliament has clarified that only 14 Members of Parliament have tested positive for Covid-19 but not 200 as some media outlets are reporting.

Chris Obore, the Director Communication and Public Affairs at Parliament says its not true that 200 legislators are positive or hospitalized as alleged.

“.. Parliament hosted three major events in the recent past, to wit the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the State of the nation address and presentation of the National budget. In line with the protocols for such events, Covid-19 tests are mandatory, and the Ministry of Health therefore used Parliament as a sample collection point for all attendees of those events, including security, journalists, selected Parliament staff etc. Out of the entire sample size, 40 people tested positive for the first event, 50 for the second event and 70 for the third. 14 MPs tested positive on the whole, and have all been asymptomatic cases with no hospitalization. Only two members of staff are currently hospitalized. There are a few recovering from home, because they were showing no symptoms. In fact, most MPs and staff who tested positive have since recovered,”Obore said in a statement on Wednesday.

Obore also revealed that the closure of Parliament for two weeks is a precautionary measure taken for the safety of everyone.

“It’s not true, therefore that 200 MPs are positive and or hospitalized as reported. The closure of Parliament for two weeks is a precautionary measure taken for the safety of everyone. This is because at the very least, Parliament brings together over 1000 people on a daily. Therefore, the logic of closing for two weeks should be appreciated in light of this.”

” It’s important that in dealing with COVID-19 numbers, caution should be exercised lest we become alarmist, a tendency which is clearly unhelpful in this situation. Let’s endeavor to maintain accuracy by thorough, foul proof verification before publication.”