KATHMANDU, May 6: At least five lawmakers of the federal parliament have tested positive for COVID-19. 

According to Spokesperson for the Parliament Secretariat, Rojanath Pandey, three employees at the Parliament Secretariat have also tested positive for the virus. 

According to the Speaker's Secretariat, a total of 609 PCR tests of lawmakers, staffers at the parliament secretariat, journalists and security personnel deployed at parliament were conducted on Wednesday. 

"Five lawmakers have so far been informed that they have tested positive for the virus. Since the reports of more than 50 percent lawmakers undergoing PCR tests are still awaited, the number could go higher," Pandey told Republica.

The  lawmakers who have tested positive for the virus include Ram Babu Yadav, Parbati BC Chaudhary, Naramaya Dhakal, Ram Babu Kumar Yadav. "One other lawmaker has informed us that he tested positive for the virus," said Pandey.

Eight other lawmakers of the federal parliament are already undergoing treatment in hospitals or staying in home isolation after they tested positive for the virus.

A special session of the federal parliament has been called for May 10 as Prime Minister K P Oli is preparing to seek a vote of confidence from parliament. Swab collection of the remaining lawmakers and employees at the parliament secretariat is underway even on Thursday. 

 
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• Federal_Parliament
 
• Nepal