Eba Kandovazu
DEPUTY Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Dr Ester Muinjangue says although low COVID-19 cases, minimal hospitalisations and deaths are being reported currently in the country, a staggering high number of cases are being reported in Europe and other parts of the world.
Muinjangue cautions Namibians against complacency but to continue to wear face masks, sanitise and keep social distances. “Rain and wet conditions sometimes contribute to the fast spread of the virus. As we approach the festive season and with gatherings, people must take caution. Namibians must be on guard,” Muinjangue says.
MoHSS Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe did not respond to questions sent to him. Neighboring South Africa reported 687 new cases on Sunday and 312 cases yesterday, up from around 106 earlier this month. South Africa, which has the largest caseload on the African continent, has recorded nearly 2.93 million infections. Of the total cases, at least 89 584 have been fatal, News24 reports.
COVID-19 infections are on the rise in South Africa weeks ahead of an expected fourth wave in December, the country’s national health laboratory service said on Monday.
It is reported that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported a “sustained” increase over the past seven days, with the majority of cases detected in the most populous province of Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria.
“We are monitoring these trends to see if these increases persist,” NICD’s Interim ED, Adrian Puren, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s most populous country, Germany recorded another 30,643 cases on Monday, according to the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to just more than 5.3 million. Close 100,000 people have died so far, including 62 between Sunday and Monday. Intensive care beds are filling up to capacity and the country has ordered for the closure of Christmas markets.
In regions with high hospitalisation rates, the unvaccinated will be barred from public spaces like cinemas, gyms and indoor dining, Aljazeera reported.
Austria has re-entered a full national 10-day lockdown, which could be extended to 20 days.
