Anambra assembly shut as lawmakers contract COVID-19

The Anambra state house of assembly complex has been shut down for three weeks over the COVID infection of some lawmakers.

The assembly had on January 19, invited the state COVID-19 team to conduct a compulsory test on members and workers following the reported spike in cases in the state.

However, the results of some members and workers came back positive.

During an emergency session on Wednesday, Uche Okafor, the speaker, adjourned plenary.

“The COVID-19 team in the ministry of health came last Thursday to take samples of lawmakers and staff members,” Okafor said.

“Unfortunately, when the results came out, some were negative but many were positive. As an institution, we need to lead by example, hence we have decided that the assembly complex be shut for three weeks.

“This is to allow the ministry to do contact tracing of those found to be positive for the virus.”

It is unclear the number of lawmakers who tested positive.

The speaker said it is expected that the complex, including the offices and surrounding, along with the houses of those who tested positive, would be fumigated.

“There will be no plenary or committee work and we appeal that those who need to go on isolation should please do so,” he said.

The state has recorded 720 cases of COVID-19 while 334 patients have recovered and 20 people have lost their lives to the disease.