Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA must surely be setting a world record for the age range of people defying Omicron, with the youngest case again a three-month-old baby and, the oldest of all cases in any reporting cycle thus far, a 117-year-old.
The concerning increase in Covid-19 deaths, including home deaths, as well as new cases and hospitalisations, have prompted the Minister of Health and Social Services to once again issue a warning to the public to avoid gatherings and limit travelling.
“We continue to see daily increases in newly confirmed cases and in the same vein an increased number of hospitalisations,” Health Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula stated in the update on the latest 24-hour reporting cycle.
“This implies that active transmission is still ongoing in the communities amidst the festive season, fuelled by gatherings and travelling, among others, which may be avoided,” he said.
“Deaths have also been increasing, with great concern, and we are starting to see home deaths too. This should therefore invite caution among the public that the Covid-19 virus is still dangerous to everybody. Hence it is the responsibility of each member of the public to prevent further infections,” the Minister said.
He stated that vaccination remains an important weapon towards protective immunity against Covid-19.
“We urge all eligible individuals to go for it as soon as possible.”
Seven deaths were reported from five districts.
“All are Covid-19 deaths. One occurred on 10 December, one occurred on 23 December, four occurred on 26 December and one occurred on 28 December,” the Minister said.
“One death from the Okongo district occurred at home. One of the deceased was fully vaccinated but had serious co-morbidities. One of the deceased was ineligible for vaccination. The remaining five, which makes up 71.4%, were not vaccinated.”
From 2 038 test results in the last cycle, 749 new cases were reported, which represents a 36.8% positivity ratio.
The Omusati region recorded the highest number, namely 131, making up 17.5%, followed by Khomas with 105, constituting 14%, and Ohangwena with 103, accounting for 13.8% of all newly confirmed cases.
In addition, 49 new re-infections were reported, with Khomas the highest namely 10, making up 20.4%.
Among the confirmed cases are 41 learners, 8 teachers, 11 students and 32 healthcare workers from different institutions. Of these, 17 cases have received one dose of the vaccine, 74 cases are fully vaccinated and 23 vaccinated cases did not specify the number of doses received.
Of the new cases, 635 are unvaccinated, accounting for 84.8%.
“The number of active cases is now 14 617,” the Minister said.
“Hospitalised cases are currently at 336 across 13 regions, of which 21 are in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Seven of the hospitalized cases have received one dose of the vaccine and 32 are fully vaccinated. Three cases in ICU are fully vaccinated. The remainder of 18 (85.7%) are not vaccinated.”
By 28 December, a total of 404 241 people have received one dose of the vaccine, representing 26.9% of the target population including 1 782 children aged 12 to 17 years.
A total of 104 836 have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is administered as one dose, while 237 865 adults had received two doses of other vaccines. Therefore, 342 701 have completed the vaccination, translating to 22.8% of the target population, while 5 205 people have received a booster dose.
CROWDED: The Minister of Health has urged people to avoid gatherings. Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash.com
