Africa, Latest on coronavirus outbreak

13 Nigerian lawmakers test positive for coronavirus

Health authority asks infected MPs to go into self-isolation

Hiba Sait  | 24.06.2020 - Update : 24.06.2020
13 Nigerian lawmakers test positive for coronavirus

ANKARA

At least 13 Nigerian lawmakers have tested positive for coronavirus, local media reported Wednesday.

Out of 27 members of the Imo State Assembly, 26 were tested, including the speaker, an official spokesman told This Day website.

However, it is against the law to disclose the identities of those who tested positive, the spokesman added.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has asked some of them to go into self-isolation.

Collins Chiji, speaker of the state assembly, last week ordered total closure of the building after an MP tested positive.

Nigeria has so far confirmed 20,919 virus cases, 525 deaths and 7,109 recoveries.

Since originating in China last December, the pandemic has claimed more than 478,000 lives in 188 countries and regions.

More than 9.28 million cases have been reported worldwide, while nearly 4.65 million patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

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