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Ghana’s parliament has denied reports making rounds in the media that two lawmakers and 13 support staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
“Parliament would like to state categorically that the results of the tests are not yet known and so the report by Starrfmonline is not true. Parliament would therefore like to urge Starrfmonline to pull down the said report and update its audience with the relevant information to the effect that the results from the tests are unknown to Parliament,” a statement from Parliament on Tuesday said.
“The confidentiality protocol of testing for COVID-19 is that, those who test positive will be called directly by the testing team and be taken through the necessary steps for quarantine and treatment. Officially Parliament is unaware of any such call and has no official figures from the National COVID-19 response team.
“Meanwhile, Parliament will like to assure the Public that it remains committed to ensuring the safety and avoidance of possible spread of the disease in Parliament. Citizens are encouraged to call or reach Parliament on line with their enquiries and only attend upon the House if it becomes absolutely necessary,” the statement signed by Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, said.
Earlier at a press briefing, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu said: “…Anybody who tested positive, the information will not be transmitted to all of us. It is between the person and the people who did the test. Some confidentiality is required in these matters and we needed to be very circumspect.”
“The reason why we decided to do this, as I sit here, …if Kate has tested positive, I wouldn’t know, if the clerk has, if I have, they wouldn’t know. So it is part of the agreement that we all came to, so nobody knows whether anybody has tested positive. The people who will know will be perhaps, those of them who did the test.”
“So just to emphasise the point that what that medium [media house] has done, amounts to nothing but speculation. They are only speculating that two Members have tested positive. Its speculative journalism. We would want to let you know that there is no truth in that.”
“…As Speaker indicated, because we are all here together, we are appealing to all staff in the House, all Members of Parliament and even non staff as you are [parliamentary media personnel] that everybody must subject himself or herself for your own sake and for the sake of your households, your friends and others that you come into contact with at work places and the various houses so that we are able to protect ourselves as a family within the prescints of Parliament.”
“So that is how it is, the agreement was that if anybody’s results came out positive, it will only be known to that person, be a staff, journalist or a Member of Parliament. I don’t know, the Clerk to Parliament doesn’t know, the Director of Public Affairs wouldn’t also know, so I will plead with you not to be engaging in such speculative journalism.”
Source: Daily Mail GH
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