Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA has continuously kept up with the demand for Covid-19 testing since the coronavirus was first detected in the country last year March, making it the third highest African country with tested people.
Ministry of Health and Social Services Executive Director Ben Nangombe said that Namibia has so far tested 750 768 samples. According to Nangombe, in terms of Covid-19 testing capacity in Africa presently, only two countries – Gabon and South Africa – are testing more persons per one thousand than Namibia.
Gabon, which is topping the list, is testing 573 people per 1 000, followed by South Africa with 307 people per 1 000 and Namibia in third place with 288 per 1 000 people.
“We are proud to have reached that milestone of being ranked the third African country with an impressive number of Covid-19 testing,” he said, adding that people should work harder to become number one on the continent.
Nangombe explained that the purpose of testing is to promptly identify persons with Covid-19, and to provide care and treatment as required. He noted that the health ministry will continue to work with the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) and other laboratories to ensure that testing is available and deployed as required.
Nangombe further indicated that the crucial issue at the moment is to ensure that they expand vaccine uptake in all parts of the country. “Vaccination will ensure that our people are protected in the case of the arrival of new variants or the flare up of new infections in the country,” he added.
Nangombe stated that although they are seeing a decline in positive Covid-19 cases in the country, other parts of the world are witnessing a rise in new infections, hospitalisation and deaths.
This, he said, is occurring mostly in unvaccinated populations. Nangombe said that the best way to avoid another devastating wave is for people to get vaccinated. He then call on all partners and stakeholders to encourage all eligible persons to get vaccinated.
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