Namibia cases soar as Geingob recovers from COVID

Namibian President Hage Geingob is recovering well following last week’s positive COVID diagnosis, according to a spokesman for the presidency.
“The President and the First Lady are in a stable condition and in good spirits. All precautionary measures are taken, and neither the President nor the First Lady have been admitted to the hospital,” said press secretary Alfredo Hengari in a statement issued Sunday.
Both Geingob and his wife, Monica, have responded well to treatment and are on course for a full recovery. The statement followed speculation that Geingob’s condition was more serious and required intensive care. The two were diagnosed on Wednesday.
Geingob asked that all Namibians continue to follow Covid-19 protocols and regulations, including mask wearing and social distancing. The country is seeing a surge in COVID-19 infections with reports that hospital capacity is nearly full and oxygen supplies are stretched thin.
Dr. Kalumbi Shangula said Friday that the case count had risen by 5,497 during the past four weeks, with an average of more than 200 cases per day. Fatalities are now averaging six per day.
“What we have observed over the past months is that members of the public are flagrantly disobeying the regulations and putting families, our communities, and our country at risk,” said Shangula, in announcing new measures that go into effect on Tuesday.
Namibians are encouraged to get vaccinated but will also continue to face an evening curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Gatherings are limited to 50 people rather than 100 for sporting events and social occasions.
Anyone entering Namibia is now required to show a PCR negative test, and if traveling from India or a similar COVID hotspot, to repeat the test in seven days.
Image: Hage Geingob