The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) is expanding COVID-19 testing thanks to a NAD$4.8 million donation from the Social Security Commission.

As reported by the Namibia Economist, this will enable the institute to procure reagents required for close to 8 700 tests, with testing extended to five additional regions of the country.

With 2 517 samples already tested by the NIP, the Southern African nation has recorded around 20 cases, at least 14 of which have recovered. Zero COVID-19-related deaths have been reported so far.

‘COVID-19 will remain a health threat for a while and as the country gradually starts relaxing the lockdown,’ says NIP chairman Bryan Eiseb. ‘The NIP will remain prepared to test all suspected cases referred to it.’

Today the country will move to Level 3 of its four-tiered lockdown system. Walvis Bay, however, will revert to Level 1 for at least a week, following the positive diagnosis of two residents.

2 June 2020
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