Two lawmakers in Madagascar have died of coronavirus and at least 25 members of parliament and of the senate have been infected with the virus, President Andry Rajoelina said late Sunday.

“One deputy died. A senator died. After the tests carried out on the deputies, 11 members of parliament were detected carrying the coronavirus. At the Senate, 14 people, senators and agents of Senate carry the coronavirus,” Mr. Rajoelina on national television late on Sunday.

“COVID-Organics”, Madagascar’s self-proclaimed, plant-based “cure” for COVID-19, was launched in April, despite warnings from the World Health Organisation that its efficacy is unproven.

Some African countries have received a shipment of COVID-Organics herbal cure despite not being validated by any scientific study.

On July 5, President Rajoelina placed its capital Antananarivo under a fresh lockdown following a new surge in infections, two months after the easing restrictions.

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2 Madagascar Lawmakers Die of COVID-19, 25 Others Infected