Staff Writer
Going by the figures released by the Minister of Health and Social Servives, Dr Kalumba Shangula, on Wednesday, Oshakati and Katima Mulilo appear to becoming the epicentres of the Covid-19 virus.
From a total of 237 confirmed new cases, the two towns in Oshana and Zambezi regions had 42 new cases each, relegating the capital Windhoek and Khomas region, which recorded 36 new cases for the day, to third spot. The new distribution pattern could be attributed to the more stringent measures imposed on Windhoek during July.
Nankudu in Kavango West recorded only one new case as did Tsandi, Oshikuku and Okahao in Omusati region. Despite being at the crossroad, Tsumeb recorded only eight new cases putting Oshikoto at the top of the regions that recorded single-digit figures.
According to the statistics, Erongo region, which was the epicentre of the Covid infections last year, comes fourth after Windhoek and Khomas region, recording 23 new cases with Walvis Bay accounting for 14, Swakopmund eight and Usakos one.
Kavango East and Rundu recorded 17 cases while //Kharas had 16; Hardap 14; Otjozondjupa 13 and Ohangwena and Kunene eleven (11) each.
Figures from Omaheke were not included in this list, Shangula said. According to him Oshana and Zambezi accounted for 18 percent of all confirmed new cases while Khomas had 15 percent.
The confirmed new cases are made up of 136 females and 101 males whose ages range from seven months to 95 years. Of these were 30 pupils, four teachers, five students and three health workers.
Shangula said of all the confirmed cases, two are reported to have received only one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The country recorded 323 recoveries during this period with Otjozondjupa having the highest number at 121 followed by Khomas with 118; Omusati 51; //Kharas 17; Zambezi eight; Omaheke six and Kavango East two.
This means Namibia now has 20 177 active cases with 375 of them hospitalised. Of those in hospital, 72 are under intensive care, the minister revealed. According to the Minister’s statement, there were 30 deaths from 12 districts.
The largest number was recorded at Outapi with eight followed by Opuwo with five; Okahao (4) and Oshakati three deaths. Windhoek, Swakopmund and Katima Mulilo had two deaths each while Okahandja, Walvis Bay, Otjiwarongo and Engela recorded one death each.
As of Wednesday a total of 169 790 people had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine while 51 138 had received two doses and are regarded as fully vaccinated, the minister said.
