COVID-19: Erongo vaccinates 12 000 inhabitants

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Just over 12 000 inhabitants of the Erongo Region had been vaccinated against COVID-19 by Monday, the region’s governor, Neville Andre-Itope, said.

Addressing the weekly COVID-19 media briefing at Swakopmund on Monday, Andre-Itope said 12 002 inhabitants of Erongo Region had been vaccinated.

He however said more needs to be done to encourage people to get vaccinated.

“The recent surge in deaths and confirmed cases in Namibia has been a cause of great concern to us as the leadership in Erongo. This situation has made us go back to basics again, recall all our previous strategies, to ensure that we contain the further spread of the virus,” he said.

He added that as of 14 June 2021, the region recorded a cumulative figure of 10 389 cases of which 9 305 have recovered, with 143 COVID-19 deaths so far.

Erongo on Monday had 891 active cases of which 125 were hospitalised, and eight in intensive care units in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay respectively, he announced.

A total 224 healthcare workers also tested positive in the region, said Andre-Itope.

“These figures might seem low, but the pressure it puts on our health facilities is immense. All indications are that the current State health facilities are full in the region, especially in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, putting more pressure on oxygen provision, human resources and important equipment such as ventilators,” he said.

The governor added that all signs point to the third wave having arrived and being “no joke” judging by the number of deaths over the past couple of weeks.

“We need to be hands-on in our approaches to mitigate the further spread of the virus. Our economy cannot afford another lockdown, therefore my plea to the people of the region is to adhere to the regulations. Do not attend large public gatherings, in case of funerals send a message of condolences. We are living in abnormal times which calls on us to embrace the times we are living in,” he advised.

The region’s vaccination roll-out started on 19 March 2021.

Source: Namibia Press Agency