Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, on Thursday announced that Namibia had recorded 1 016 new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 70 112.

The cases had a gender distribution of 429 males and 587 females between the ages of one month and 96 years.

Shangula said the country also recorded 34 deaths from the Rehoboth, Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Eenhana, Walvis Bay, Gobabis, Mariental, Oshakati, Okongo, Outapi, Onandjokwe, Grootfontein, Tsumeb and Swakopmund districts, taking the country’s death toll to 1 107.

The Khomas Region recorded the highest number of infections at 317, followed by Erongo with 131 cases, while Oshana recorded 102 cases and ||Kharas 100.

Kavango East recorded 81 cases, Otjozondjupa 74, Kunene 44, Oshikoto 39, Hardap 34, Omaheke 33 and Omusati, 27 cases. The Zambezi Region recorded 22 cases, Ohangwena eight and Kavango West, four cases.

“Among the confirmed cases are 187 learners, 55 healthcare workers, 27 teachers and 26 students,” Shangula said.

The minister also announced 1 382 new recoveries, bringing total recoveries to 57 716.

Active cases on Thursday evening stood at 11 278, with 449 hospitalised cases of which 82 were in intensive care units.

Cumulatively, 98 646 COVID-19 vaccine first doses and 18 087 second doses were administered by Thursday.

Shangula cautioned that Namibia is facing a critical stage as the number of new infections consistently remains above 1 000.

He said in addition, the number of deaths announced daily remains above 30.

“Let us make use of the only tools in our arsenal – scrupulously observe public health measures and get vaccinated,” the minister said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency