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Three MPs test positive for COVID-19 as outbreak hits Parliament House

At least three federal MPs are in isolation after contracting COVID-19.

A general view of Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, August 12, 2021. The Federal Parliament has been closed to the public and functioning with building access limited to essential business. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING
A general view of Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, August 12, 2021. Source: AAP

Three federal MPs have reportedly contracted COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

One of these politicians is Nationals MP Kevin Hogan, who confirmed he's tested positive for the virus.

"I woke up Tuesday morning with a slight tickle in my throat," Mr Hogan tweeted on Wednesday.

"I immediately had a RAT test, which tested positive."

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The federal member for Page said he's received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and is currently isolating with mild symptoms.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety Scott Bucholz confirmed he tested positive for the virus on Wednesday after receiving a PCR test.

"I'm now doing what millions of other Aussies have had to do, I am isolating, and following ACT guidelines," he told SBS News.

Mr Buchholz said he's vaccinated and is currently experiencing mild cold-like symptoms.

Queensland Labor MP Annika Wells confirmed on social media that she has also contracted COVID-19.

“This morning, in Canberra for Parliament, I took a rapid antigen test and tested positive for COVID," she wrote on Twitter.

"I am double vaxxed with booster and will follow the ACT Health directions.

"Stay safe out there everybody.”

News.com.au broke the news of the infections on Wednesday, reporting parliamentarians have now been ordered to take PCR tests.

Several MPs have previously tested positive for COVID-19, including Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Defence Minister Peter Dutton.


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Eden Gillespie

Source: SBS News



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