Oluno Correctional Facility at Ondangwa in the Oshana region remains the hotspot for Covid-19 amongst the Namibian Correctional Services facilities with 143 positive cases recorded.
The Namibian Correctional Service Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said despite tremendous strides to contain the spread of the virus in other correctional facilities across the country, Oluno cases are still ongoing.
Although the facility is still reporting positive cases, none of the inmates is severely sick or in a critical state, Hamunyela said.
Hamunyela further noted that out of the 14 correctional facilities in the country, Windhoek, Hardap, Oluno and Walvis Bay have reported the highest number of positive cases for Covid-19.
A total of 583 positive cases have so far been reported in seven correctional facilities.
“Apart from Oluno which still has ongoing cases, we have managed to contain the spread of Covid-19 in other facilities. This was merely due to the strict guidelines that were put in place,” said Hamunyela.
He paid tribute to the Ministry of Health and Social Services for supplying the NCS with medical equipment for the setting up of isolation facilities.
The correctional service also received funds from the government that enabled it to provide inmates with a balanced diet to boost their immune system, Hamunyela said.
Last week, the NCS has eased restrictions on visits to inmates except for Oluno.
Visitations to the correctional facilities were suspended during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
Hamunyela explained that the visiting hours will be allowed with certain restrictive measures.
“Covid-19 is still with us. So, we will continue to take precautionary measures to ensure that we do not see a situation were numbers will pick up and we will have to deal with a second wave,” said Hamunyela.
All visits will be non-contact, with a maximum of two visitors at a time allowed.
Visitors are advised to carry their sanitisers and masks when visiting the facilities. -mamakali@nepc.com.na