Staff Reporter
THE number of new Covid-19 infections has almost doubled to a record high from 554 to 1 041 in the last 24-hour reporting cycle.
The Khomas region reported the highest number of new cases, totalling 608 and making up 58.4% of the total confirmed cases.
Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, in the latest Covid-19 update reported an unprecedented spike in cases on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
This comes as Namibia braces for a potential lockdown and stricter public health measures that might be announced on 15 December, seemingly in the chokehold of a viral fourth wave on the back of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.
Shangulu said during the second wave in 2020, the number peaked at 683 on 13 December.
“It remains in our power to change the course of the trajectory by practicing basic public health measures,” the health minister said.
Two Covid-19 related home deaths were reported from Katima Mulilo. The victims were females aged 89 and 103 who died on 8 December. They were not vaccinated.
Among the confirmed cases are 78 learners, 41 healthcare workers, 15 students and eight teachers. Of those infected, 26 cases have received one dose of the vaccine and 82 cases are fully vaccinated. The number of unvaccinated among the positive cases stands at 933, or 89.6%.
The number of active cases now stands at 2 793.
Of these, 73 cases are hospitalized, of which four are in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Four cases are fully vaccinated and 69 are unvaccinated. The ICU cases are not vaccinated.
DOUBLE: New Covid-19 infections have doubled in 24 hours. File photo for illustrative purposes.
