Health and Social Services Minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula on Tuesday announced that Namibia recorded 263 new COVID-19 positive cases and 24 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 854.

The deaths were recorded in 14 districts and involve 10 women and 14 men.

Shangula said this is the highest number of deaths ever recorded in one day in the country, urging the nation to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“This must send a clear message to all of us to be extra careful. No vaccination status of all the deceased could be confirmed,” added Shangula.

The health minister went on to say the newly confirmed cases represent a 20 per cent positivity ratio and were identified from 1 297 results received from laboratories.

It has a gender distribution of 139 female and 124 male patients with the youngest being seven months old and the oldest, 94 years.

“Among the reported cases are 18 learners, two teachers, 17 students from different institutions and 13 healthcare workers,” he said.

Khomas Region recorded the highest number of positive cases at 110, followed by Erongo at 33, Oshana 27, Ohangwena 26 and ||Kharas 25. Oshikoto and Hardap reported 11 cases each, while Omusati recorded eight cases, Otjozondjupa four, Omaheke and Zambezi two cases each and Kavango East one.

Namibia currently has 3 999 active cases of which 280 are hospitalised with 47 in intensive care.

Shangula further announced 273 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 50 948.

Meanwhile, a total number of 69 146 people had received their first dose of either the AstraZeneca or Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, while a total of 9 574 had received their second dose by Tuesday.

Source: Namibia Press Agency