Statement_at_the_38_Covid19_public_briefing_20211214


Statement_at_the_38_Covid19_public_briefing_20211214



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REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
STATEMENT BY DR KALUMBI SHANGULA, MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES AT THE 38TH COVID-19 PUBLIC BRIEFING
14 December 2021
STATE HOUSE
WINDHOEK
*Check against Delivery.
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Your Excellency, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia
Your Excellency, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, Vice Presisent
Right Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila, Prime Minister
Honourable Ministers
Senior Government Officials
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. I thank Your Excellency for giving me the floor to provide further details on our national
COVID-19 preparedness and response generally, and on the amendments to the current
COVID-19 Public Health General Regulations in particular that will expire at midnight on
Wednesday. Before I provide some details on the latest amendments, I wish to share with
the nation some epidemiological data that will engender further understanding of where we
are coming from as a nation with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, where we are
currently, and what data is telling us, going forward. At the end, I will bring clarity to
some topical issues of contemporary interest. As this presentation may take a while, I beg
in advance for your patience.
2. As at 13 December 2021, Namibia has recorded a total of 133 444 confirmed COVID-19
cases, out of the 819 721 samples tested. A total of 126 148 recoveries were reported,
translating into a recovery rate of 94.5%. This is a decline of 2.7% following the increase
in the number of cases reported in the last two weeks. Active cases have also drastically
increased by 95.2%. There are now 3 392 active cases in the country. A grim figure of
three thousand, five hundred and seventy-eight (3 578) COVID-19 deaths were recorded
since the beginning of the pandemic in Namibia in March 2020.
3. It is a source of great concern that the epidemiological trajectory has worsened as the
country has recorded more positive COVID-19 cases from 29 November 2021. In the past
two weeks, the number of positive cases has been doubling on daily basis. It reached the
highest number of cases of 1 041 recorded on 10 December 2021. From 16 November to
12 December 2021, the period of 27 days covering the current dispensations, a total of 47
130 samples were tested and 4 023 new confirmed cases were reported, giving a positive
ratio of 8.5%. This indicates an 83% increment as compared to the same period of 27 days
prior. The positivity ratio, which is the proportion of the positive cases out of the samples
tested increases from 1.9% to 8.5% over the same period. However, number of deaths
inversely were low totalling thirteen (13) during the last 27 days, as compared to twenty-
two (22) deaths reported during 27 days prior. This represents a decline of 69%. The
number of hospitalized cases remains reasonably low. We are continuing to monitor the
situation closely.
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4. On the vaccination front, I wish to state that COVID-19 vaccination continues to be one of
the preventive interventions we are advocating for and pursuing. This is because
vaccination remains one of the most effective tools we have to protect our nation and drive
further down the number of severe cases, hospitalizations and deaths. As at 13 December
2021, a total of 388 719 persons or 25.9% of the eligible population have received the first
dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 327 532 persons or 21. 8% are fully vaccinated. One of
the positive news is that the daily vaccination uptake increased by 10% from 1 900 recorded
on 11 November 2021, as compared to the number of 2 112 daily average recorded as on
13 December 2021.
5. We have started administering the 3rd dose of the Sinopharm vaccine. A Guideline in the
form of a Circular was issued two weeks ago to guide health workers at vaccination sites
on the administration of this dose. So far, a total of 660 persons have received this third
dose. Another positive development relates to the expansion of the vaccine eligibility
criteria to children aged 12-17 years. As at 13 December 2021, two hundred and thirty-
five (235) doses were recorded for this age group.
6. The Ministry offers voluntary administration of third dose of homologous vaccines, that is
same type of vaccine for Sinopharm, AstraZeneca and Pfizer BioNtech to eligible
individuals. Those who receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can receive another dose of
same. However, if the same product is not available, or in case of allergic reaction to one
vaccine, another heterologous vaccine can be used.
Table 1: Covid-19 homologous and heterologous boosters, mix-match and 3rd dose
Vaccine
1st dose
2nd dose
3rd/booster dose
Homologous
Sinopharm
Sinopharm
Sinopharm
Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca
Johnson & Johnson None
Johnson & Johnson
Heterologous
Sinopharm
Sinopharm
Pfizer
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca
Pfizer
AstraZeneca
Pfizer
Pfizer
7. We have observed that a significant number of people who contracted Covid-19 disease,
have tested positive for Covid-19 again after full recovery. The Centre for Disease Control
and Prevention defines reinfection as an infection in the same individual across a different
time period with evidence of two different viral strains within more than 45 days in highly
suspicious cases of Covid-19 or more than 90 days in asymptomatic cases with low
suspicion. Other studies define reinfection as two positive results with a negative test result
in between. Evidence suggests that 95% of people produce antibodies two weeks after
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Covid-19 onset. It is possible that these antibodies could fade over time making a person
susceptible again to Covid-19 infection. Some people may just not develop a fool-proof
antibody response in the first place. Therefore, it is possible for a person who have fully
recovered from Covid-19 to be reinfected.
8. Infection after immunisation
The development of several Covid-19 vaccines has given us hope of a release from the
pandemic. However, none of the vaccines is 100% effective at stopping transmission or
infection. There is always a small risk that some fully vaccinated people will get infected.
This is known as “breakthrough infection” and is entirely expected to happen. It is
important to realise the limitations of vaccines. No vaccine offers full protection to
everyone who receive it. This is so because different arms of the immune response produce
different defences, namely antibodies that lock onto viruses and neutralising them and the
T cells that find and destroy the infected cells. The T cells are important for limiting the
severity of illness. We are observing the breakthrough infection and the mild nature of
their illnesses.
9. The reasons for breakthrough infection are two-fold. The human immune response is
encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and varies from person to person. This
variability helps us to respond to an array of germs. It could also be due to other things
like poor health, medication or age. On the other hand, the ageing immune system does
not respond to new foreign substances that causes the immune system to produce antibodies
against it (antigen) neutralising antibodies at all after both doses of vaccines. Another
reason for breakthrough infections is due to viral variants that escape immune detection
and flourish even in vaccinated people. A virus is expected to mutate and give raise to
variants that may be easily transmitted. The mutations could alter the parts of the virus
that recognised by antibodies and T cells.
10. Some people ask, why is it necessary to get vaccinated when one can still get the Covid-
19 infection. Vaccines are not a cure. It takes a minimum of two week after vaccination
for the immune response to develop. One may get infected within two weeks of vaccination
or as a result of breakthrough infections. Getting vaccinated could save your life. Covid-
19 vaccines provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalisation and death.
Being vaccinated makes it less likely that you will pass the virus on to others, thereby
protecting those around you. Even after getting vaccinated, keep taking precautions to
protect yourself, family, friends and anyone else you may come into contact with.
11. The Government is also implementing various infrastructure projects to strengthen and
improve our capacity to provide adequate care and treatment to those who fall ill and need
hospitalization. These include the construction of isolation facilities, the procurement of
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equipment and the improvement of oxygen supply at different health facilities around the
country and recruitment of healthcare workers.
12. Following thorough and detailed analysis of the COVID-19 data using various variables, a
decision was taken to amend the current Public Health General Regulations. It has always
been our approach that when amendments are proposed, care is taken to ensure that the
measures take into account the imperatives of saving the lives of our people and also
promoting their livelihoods. We are painfully aware of the fact that the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on our country and its economy has been devastating. In this context,
a fine balance had to be struck as we consider these competing priorities. I will now
proceed to provide the rationale behind the amendments to the public health measures that
will come into effect as from midnight on 16th December 2021.
12.1.
Duration of the public health measures
The duration of the public health measure will run from 16th December 2021 to 15th
January 2022. Should the epidemiological profile worsen, the measures may be reviewed
at an earlier date. We have adopted a 30-day observance period. This approach has served
us well in terms of responding to the pandemic. We call upon everyone to continue
complying with the measures put in place in order to suppress the spread of new infections
among the population.
12.2.
Gatherings
Taking into account the current epidemiological situation, especially in light of the
emergence of the highly transmissible omicron variant, public gatherings are adjusted to
not more than 200 persons per event. Given the presence of the more transmissible omicron
variant, public gatherings should be reduced to suppress transmission among the
population given the low vaccination coverage.
12.3.
Curfew
The introduction of the curfew has had a positive effect on our response to the pandemic.
Together with the lockdown, curfew delivered us from the devastating third wave. While
effective in some areas such and preventing criminal activities, the curfew also has
accompanying detrimental consequences. It is well recorded that the reintroduction of the
curfew triggers other actions, such as those related to the general hours of the operations
of businesses, public transport, and the sale of alcohol. We are aware that this time of the
year, many Namibians will travel from different parts of the country to visit friends and
family or to spend the holiday season at their preferred holiday destinations. Given the
vastness of the country, many travelers will be compelled to spend hours and overnight in
buses, minibuses and private vehicles at Traffic Control Points if the curfew is re-
introduced. Where passengers are compelled to spend time in confined spaces as stated, it
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will create fertile ground for new infections and will thus be self-defeating as a control
measure to curb and suppress the spread of new infections. It would also create significant
inconvenience with undesirable public backlash. It was therefore decided that, given the
fairly low statistics on severe COVID-19 cases as well as hospitalizations, it would not be
prudent to introduce the curfew at this time.
12.4.
Education
The general health regulations related to education are retained without change. However,
emphasis is placed on compliance with infection prevention and control measures,
including the correct and consistent wearing of masks and observing social distancing and
all other related protocols.
12.5.
Restrictions related to liquor
The measures related to the sale of liquor are retained without change. As stated before,
the amendments to the public health measures take into account several factors, among
them, the epidemiological situation. In this regard, the current statistics on severe COVID-
19 illnesses and hospitalizations does not justify restrictions on trading hours and sale of
alcohol in the country. This concession on the part of government must be met with the
willingness on the part of the operators to ensure that their premises does not facilitate
transmission of infections.
12.6.
Business operations
This measure is retained unchanged. As such, business will continue with usual operations
during the specified period to 15 January 2022. Again here, emphasis is laced on
reinforcement and compliance with the public health measures and related protocols. The
current statistics on severe COVID-19 illnesses and hospitalizations does not justify
restrictions on business trading hours in the country. The number of persons inside a
business facility may not exceed the actual capacity of the entity.
12.7.
Contact Sport
The total number of spectators at the sporting event should not exceed 200 persons. The
number of spectators at sports events should be aligned with the regulation on public
gatherings, where the limit is now 200 persons per event.
12.8.
Public transport
This measure is retained unchanged. Emphasis is placed on the enforcement of and
compliance with public health measures for the duration of the journey using public
transport vehicles. The Ministry of Health and Social Services will avail 1 million
disposable face masks to the Ministry of Works and Transport for distribution to travelers
in public transport vehicles during the holiday season.
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We took into account that many Namibians will travel and given the vastness of the
country, it is imperative to ensure unhindered flow of the different modes of the public
transport system. Restrictions on the operations of public transport at this time will create
fertile ground for new infections and will thus be self-defeating as a control measure to
curb infections.
12.9.
Burials
The public health measures related to burials of persons who succumb to COVID-19
specifically, and those who pass away due to other causes are amended to comply with the
restrictions on the number of persons permitted to gather at public gatherings. The total
number of mourners at burials should not exceed 200 persons. In other words, the number
of mourners at burials should be aligned with the regulation on public gatherings.
12.10. Rapid Antigen Tests
There are several COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test products on the market. It is important
to ensure that the products approved for use are validated by the relevant authority as the
case may be. Thus, the measure related to the use of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests is
retained without change.
12.11. Test results upon entry.
Currently, persons arriving in Namibia should present a PCR test that is not older than
seven (7) days. Namibia has been an outlayer in this regard because the majority of
countries require a PCR test that is not older than 72 hours. In light of the circulating
omicron variant and out of abundance of caution, the public health measure related to the
validity of PCR test as a requirement for entry into Namibia is amended as follows:
• Validity of PCR COVID-19 test results is reduced to 72 hours from time of the
collection of the specimen to the time the individual arrives in Namibia.
• Travelers (Namibians and Non-Namibians) who arrive with PCR test results that are
older than 72 hours and are not in possession of a de-isolation certificate, will be
subjected to a PCR test at own cost at the port of entry and will be quarantined at own
cost. Such traveler will be released from quarantine if the PCR results are negative.
• Namibians arriving with positive PCR results, where such traveler has not completed
isolation or does not present a de-isolation certificate, such traveler will be subjected
to quarantine at own cost or to supervised home quarantine provided that the traveler
has obtained approval for such supervised home quarantine.
12.12. Many countries have made it a requirement that all persons arriving in their jurisdiction are
subject to a Polymerase Chain Reaction Test in order to determine the COVID-19 infection
status of such persons. In this regard, given the circulating omicron variant which is highly
transmissible, the following measure is introduced:
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• Random COVID-19 PCR testing will be conducted on persons permitted entry into
Namibia at Points of Entry.
• Genome sequencing will be carried out on samples that tested positive for VOCID-19.
• Namibian citizens and permit holders may enter the country with or without 72-hour
PCR test. Those who arrive without a negative PCR test results will be subjected to
quarantine at own cost or to supervised home quarantine provided that the traveler has
obtained approval for such supervised home quarantine.
The measures are aimed at suppressing the importation of new variants into the country.
They will also enable the Ministry to collect important epidemiological data on the omicron
and other variants.
13. The foregoing is some of the information I wanted to share with the Namibians people on
the new dispensation of COVID-19 Regulations. It is my sincere hope that the Namibian
people will join hands with Government and other stakeholders to ensure that we suppress
the spread of new infections. The public health measures that were outlined here today,
were crafted with that objective in mind. Complying with the regulations and getting
vaccinated are the surest way to combat COVID-19 and remove it as a public health threat.
The power to defeat COVID-19 is in our hands.
14. In conclusion, I thank members of the public and representatives of industries who
approached the Ministry of Health and Social Services with suggestions on the new public
health measures. It is pleasing that the general public is taking keen interest in the
anticipated control measures. Allow me to share with the public one of the messages I
received this morning. “No to lock down. Depression will kill us”. Although we may not
accommodate all the suggestions, we encourage the public to make an input in these
decisions.
-END-
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