No mass testing for 77 on Independence residents
24 June 2020 | Health
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
The company that manages the block of flats in Windhoek called 77 on Independence, where a coronavirus case was confirmed last week, has not been informed whether mass testing of its residents will take place.
South African fugitive Immanuel David was arrested at the building last week and tested positive for Covid-19.
David came into contact with a security guard who had the keys to the flat in which he stayed.
“The Covid-19 team did not advise us on mass testing or evacuation of the building. It is our understanding that the Covid-19 team takes a targeted approach and does not evacuate or quarantine an entire community,” said Andre Tap, the managing agent of the building.
“The Covid-19 team tested Mr David and also conducted a tracing exercise to establish whom he had been in direct contact with. It is our understanding that the persons known to have been in direct contact with Mr David were contacted by the Covid-19 team and have been tested and quarantined. This includes the security guard who handled the keys to the apartment,” he added.
Thoroughly cleaned
Tap said David had booked to stay in the building for one week.
“He only stayed in the apartment complex for about 24 hours as the Namibian police arrested him the following day.”
When asked what steps were taken to ensure the safety of the residents, Tap said: “The apartment was sprayed and also the lifts and other common areas. The cleaning team of the owner of the apartment also cleaned it two days later. The apartment is now declared safe.
“This was followed by a deep sanitation by the ministry of health's Covid-19 disinfection team.”
Fugitive not charged yet
Nampol spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi told Namibian Sun that David could not be charged yet, as he was still in isolation.
David had entered Namibia illegally at Noordoewer, where he was picked up by former National Fishing Corporation of Namibia acting CEO Paulus Ngalangi and a police officer attached to the tourism unit.
He potentially faces charges of entering Namibia through an ungazetted entry point.
David was driven to Windhoek, where he was arrested on 13 June.
His entry into Namibia was linked to organised crime, Nampol inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga previously said.
WINDHOEK
The company that manages the block of flats in Windhoek called 77 on Independence, where a coronavirus case was confirmed last week, has not been informed whether mass testing of its residents will take place.
South African fugitive Immanuel David was arrested at the building last week and tested positive for Covid-19.
David came into contact with a security guard who had the keys to the flat in which he stayed.
“The Covid-19 team did not advise us on mass testing or evacuation of the building. It is our understanding that the Covid-19 team takes a targeted approach and does not evacuate or quarantine an entire community,” said Andre Tap, the managing agent of the building.
“The Covid-19 team tested Mr David and also conducted a tracing exercise to establish whom he had been in direct contact with. It is our understanding that the persons known to have been in direct contact with Mr David were contacted by the Covid-19 team and have been tested and quarantined. This includes the security guard who handled the keys to the apartment,” he added.
Thoroughly cleaned
Tap said David had booked to stay in the building for one week.
“He only stayed in the apartment complex for about 24 hours as the Namibian police arrested him the following day.”
When asked what steps were taken to ensure the safety of the residents, Tap said: “The apartment was sprayed and also the lifts and other common areas. The cleaning team of the owner of the apartment also cleaned it two days later. The apartment is now declared safe.
“This was followed by a deep sanitation by the ministry of health's Covid-19 disinfection team.”
Fugitive not charged yet
Nampol spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi told Namibian Sun that David could not be charged yet, as he was still in isolation.
David had entered Namibia illegally at Noordoewer, where he was picked up by former National Fishing Corporation of Namibia acting CEO Paulus Ngalangi and a police officer attached to the tourism unit.
He potentially faces charges of entering Namibia through an ungazetted entry point.
David was driven to Windhoek, where he was arrested on 13 June.
His entry into Namibia was linked to organised crime, Nampol inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga previously said.
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