Obrein Simasiku
OMUTHIYA – Governor of Oshikoto Penda Ya Ndakolo has expressed relief at the diminishing Covid-19 positivity rate, but is worried about the sluggish uptake of vaccinations against the pandemic in the region.
He said, of the total 126 185 targeted for vaccinations in the region, only 18 354 have received their first dose, while only 11 810 are fully vaccinated.
Ya Ndakolo said this during the launch of the Vax-Up and Kick Out Covid-19 campaign that is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology.
“This is still far from reaching our regional target. It means that there are still vulnerable people who the virus will use to stage a comeback. We have the means of preventing this – and that is if everyone gets their jabs. I am fully vaccinated and have not experienced any problem after taking the jab,” stressed Ya Ndakolo.
“If we raise our vaccination rate, protect ourselves and others with masking and expanded testing, and identify people who are infected, we will take Covid-19 to its graveyard where it belongs. We just need to step up our game. We have to come in numbers and get vaccinated. This is the only way we can keep our hospital decongested and focusing on other diseases that are also killing our people.”
In addition, he said, in as much as we fight this disease, the virus is also fighting back, and it is not going to give up so easily.
As of the end of October, Oshikoto recorded 6 363 cases of Covid-19, with a remarkable recovery of 6 117 people.
Sadly, 213 succumbed to the virus since the outbreak in March 2020. “Some of those who recovered are still facing challenges of breathing because their lungs were damaged,” Ya Ndakolo added, further urging the masses who gathered in Omuthiya to get vaccinated.
The governor, while emphasising the importance of the vaccination campaigns, reminded the public the economy has been left in ruins because of the pandemic, as major industries collapsed.
“Most industries closed down. The tourism industry was shattered – and as a region where tourism is becoming increasingly important, with direct access from Etosha National Park, we were badly affected. Businesses in Oshikoto and elsewhere had to limit working hours, while others had to limit the number of staff. All these were measures to fight against Covid-19. Therefore, let’s get vaccinated,” he said.
Meanwhile, ICT minister Peya Mushelenga warned the public from advancing conspiracy theories, as propaganda confuses the masses and derails all government efforts in reaching head immunity.