Namibia has been hit by a sharp spike in Hepatitis E cases and deaths in the informal settlements during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula said on Sunday.
Shangula said while his country is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of hepatitis are increasing in the informal settlements.
“The cumulative total of hepatitis cases currently stands at 7,587. To date hepatitis death are standing at 65,” he said.
Shangula added that the hardest hit areas are Khomas and Erongo region which were also put under lockdown at the same time during the COVID-19 outbreak.
He said the government is looking at a multi-faceted approach to contain the disease which has seen most informal settlements in the country at risk because of unavailability of portable water and ablation facilities. Enditem
