Ovaherero paramount chief, Vekuii Rukoro has used some blunt language in encouraging his community to take the Covid-19 pandemic seriously, warning that if not taken seriously, the pandemic could bring upon a second genocide upon the community.

In urging tribe members to follow the public health guidelines for their own protection, particularly the older and more vulnerable members, Rukoro said the Covid-19 pandemic threat must be taken seriously.

“I was shocked to hear that 90% of those in ICU across the country are from this tribe. Those who are dying from Covid-19, the majority are from this tribe. Our tradition, behaviour is killing us,” Rukoro said in his vernacular.

He advised his community to avoid attending funerals in large numbers, directing them to rather let close families attend funerals.

“Let us rather help the mourning families with financial assistance. This is a war and we need a strategy before we are all wiped out of this planet,” Rukoro said.

“I am asking you to please be patient and follow the guidelines and sanitary measures to keep yourselves and your families safe in these trying times,” he added.

He said social distancing, no hugging and minimal physical contact along with good hygiene are critical at this time.

He also begs his subjects to stop attending weddings in large numbers and visiting friends, saying that it is only by adhering to these guidelines that they will be able to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday announced that the country recorded 225 new Covid-19 cases and five deaths, in the last 24 hours.

The new cases have a gender distribution of 120 females and 105 males between the ages of four months and 93 years.

 Shangula in the daily update said the Khomas region recorded the highest number of new cases at 142 cases, //Kharas 33, Hardap 15, Omaheke 15, Kavango East 9, Erongo 3, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto with two each and Otjozondjupa and Kunene with one each. Among the cases recorded are 24 learners, 12 students 10 healthcare workers and five teachers.

Shangula said the deaths were recorded from the Windhoek, Swakopmund, Okongo and Rundu districts, bringing the total deaths to 779.

- ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na