Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, on Tuesday announced that Namibia had recorded 225 new Coronavirus (COVID-19) positive cases and five deaths.

The new deaths were reported from the Windhoek, Swakopmund, Okongo and Rundu districts.

The new cases have a gender distribution of 120 females and 105 males, ranging from a four-month-old baby to a 93-year-old.

Khomas recorded the highest number of cases at 142, followed by ||Kharas with 33, while Hardap and Omaheke recorded 15 cases each.

Kavango East recorded nine cases, Erongo three, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto each recorded two cases, while Otjozondjupa and Kunene recorded one case each.

“We had been tracking infections among learners during school holidays. We report 24 positive learners, 12 students, ten healthcare workers and five teachers. Of note are five confirmed from the mining industry and four from the fishing sector. These are special groups as they are likely to cause clusters of cases if containment measures are not instituted,” Shangula said.

The minister also reported 190 new recoveries, which leaves the total number of active cases at 3 092, of which 232 are hospitalized, while 51 are admitted in intensive care units.

According to Shangula, 63 037 people have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19.

“As we are commemorating the formation of the entity which aspires for the Unity in Africa, we should strive for an Africa free of COVID-19. Only then we can dream of a world free of COVID-19. To do this, we need to continue doing the right things in terms of adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures,” Shangula cautioned.

He added that as the schools get ready to re-open, parents and guardians are called upon to not send learners with active infections or those who are contacts to confirmed case to school before they are cleared by health officials.

“Let us avoid the gatherings as much as possible, keep wearing face masks correctly and keep the distance of at least one metre. Importantly, let’s get vaccinated,” he further urged.

Source: Namibia Press Agency