Parliament’s COVID caseload hits 168; Bagbin shuts down chamber for 3 weeks

Ghana’s Speaker Alban Bagbin has shut down Parliament for three weeks, starting from Wednesday, 10 February to Tuesday, 2 March 2021, as COVID-19 cases surge in the house. 

So far, 17 MPs have tested positive while the number of infections among staff of the house has increased from 71 to 151.

Mr Bagbin announced the shutdown on Tuesday, 9 February 2021 and said he consulted the leadership of the house prior to his decision.

The Speaker, however, announced that the Appointments Committee of Parliament will commence consideration and public vetting of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s nominees for ministerial appointments.

Mr Bagbin also asked all the MPs and staff of the house to resubmit themselves to Parliament’s Medical Centre for re-testing after two weeks from tomorrow, Wednesday, 10 February.

Ten more COVID-19 patients recently succumbed to the virus in Ghana.

This takes the death toll to 482 since March 2020.

Some 675 new cases have also been confirmed.

The total active cases in Ghana stands at 6,938.

Since the pandemic entered Ghana, a total of 73,003 cases have been confirmed.

Of that number, 65,583 have recovered.

Regional breakdown

Greater Accra Region -42,715

Ashanti Region -13,191

Western Region -4,078

Eastern Region -3,161

Central Region -2,468

Volta Region -1,181

Bono East Region -882

Northern Region -802 Upper East Region -755

Western North Region -737

Bono Region -718

Ahafo Region -563 Oti Region -250

Upper West Region -239

Savannah Region -68

North East Region -37