News & Analysis: Namibia
“As the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across Africa, the continent has become the most vulnerable region hit by the more transmissible Delta variant of the disease due to lack of vaccines and health facilities.”
“While case numbers and deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise across Africa, the devastating costs of the travel restrictions that have been imposed on visitors as a consequence continue to grow. The economic damage caused by the closure of the tourism economy in Southern and North Africa last year is continuing, perhaps worsening, this year.”
“WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said that hospital admissions for severely ill COVID-19 patients had reached unprecedented levels in about 10 countries; at least six countries were facing shortages in intensive care unit beds and medical oxygen.”
“More than 20 schools have closed due to novel coronavirus infections among pupils in recent weeks, education executive director Sanet Steenkamp said.”
“The national state referral hospitals Windhoek Central Hospital and Katutura Intermediate Hospital will no longer perform any operations unless they are urgent, as the country continues to battle a third wave of COVID-19 infections.”
“Three statehouse employees have succumbed to COVID-19. This was confirmed by press secretary Alfredo Hengari on Wednesday morning.”
“Namibian President Hage Geingob and First Lady Monica Geingob have tested positive for COVID-19, the Namibian presidency said in a statement on Thursday. They were informed of their results on Wednesday evening.”
“The increasing hospitalization of people with COVID-19 has led to a shortage of beds in the intensive care units of Windhoek’s hospitals, especially private facilities.”
“Purchasing power has diminished due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, some Namibians have decided to forego their medical cover in favour of other priorities.”
“Access to education has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments across southern Africa closed down educational institutions for the greater part of 2020. At the beginning of 2021, we are beginning to see some of the costs.”
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