Covid-19 strikes at National Council
JEMIMA BEUKES
National Council staff were sent home for the next 14 days after one of staff member tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.
Secretary to the National Council Tousy Namiseb yesterday confirmed that full-scale fumigation and sanitation of the building will commence today.
This comes just over a month after panic erupted in the National Council when regional councillors from Erongo, which is the country’s Covid-19 epicentre, reported for parliamentary sessions without going into quarantine.
Namiseb said yesterday they took swift action in collaboration with the health ministry and directed all staff members to self-isolate.
“For now, everyone will work from home for the next 14 days with immediate effect. Before the end of this 14-day period we will assess the situation and see whether the place is ready and whether there is need to extend the lockdown of the office.
“We are working according to the health ministry protocols. They have taken over the process of contact tracing. They will decide who must self-isolate or quarantine,” said Namiseb.
Namiseb instructed NC staff to cooperate with the health authorities when it comes to contact tracing and testing as well as other procedures.
“Staff are reminded to remain calm and protect themselves by adhering to the Covid-19 regulations,” he said.
Cases rise to 1 843
Meanwhile, Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula 68 new Covid-19 cases yesterday afternoon, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1 843 in the country.
Walvis Bay had 60 new cases, Swakopmund one, Windhoek six and Keetmanshoop one. Of the new cases, the youngest is six while the oldest patient is 68. Windhoek’s cases include a 68-year old pensioner who recently underwent a medical procedure at the Windhoek Central Hospital, a 38-year-old police officer, a 23-year-old banker and a 29-year-old female resident with no travel history. The country’s Covid-19 death toll remains at eight.
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National Council staff were sent home for the next 14 days after one of staff member tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.
Secretary to the National Council Tousy Namiseb yesterday confirmed that full-scale fumigation and sanitation of the building will commence today.
This comes just over a month after panic erupted in the National Council when regional councillors from Erongo, which is the country’s Covid-19 epicentre, reported for parliamentary sessions without going into quarantine.
Namiseb said yesterday they took swift action in collaboration with the health ministry and directed all staff members to self-isolate.
“For now, everyone will work from home for the next 14 days with immediate effect. Before the end of this 14-day period we will assess the situation and see whether the place is ready and whether there is need to extend the lockdown of the office.
“We are working according to the health ministry protocols. They have taken over the process of contact tracing. They will decide who must self-isolate or quarantine,” said Namiseb.
Namiseb instructed NC staff to cooperate with the health authorities when it comes to contact tracing and testing as well as other procedures.
“Staff are reminded to remain calm and protect themselves by adhering to the Covid-19 regulations,” he said.
Cases rise to 1 843
Meanwhile, Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula 68 new Covid-19 cases yesterday afternoon, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1 843 in the country.
Walvis Bay had 60 new cases, Swakopmund one, Windhoek six and Keetmanshoop one. Of the new cases, the youngest is six while the oldest patient is 68. Windhoek’s cases include a 68-year old pensioner who recently underwent a medical procedure at the Windhoek Central Hospital, a 38-year-old police officer, a 23-year-old banker and a 29-year-old female resident with no travel history. The country’s Covid-19 death toll remains at eight.
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