FORMER president Sam Nujoma (91) is stable and upbeat, his doctor said yesterday, and also confirmed that the founding head of state is not in intensive care.
Nujoma's personal physician, Dr Tshali Ithete, also told The Namibian yesterday that Nujoma might have contracted Covid-19 from one of his bodyguards, who has since died.
Ithete further said seven people who had been in close proximity to Nujoma have contracted the disease. He added that the founding president had to be hospitalised to receive the best treatment, despite the Covid-19 symptoms having subsided.
Given that the elderly are believed to be more susceptible to Covid-19 complications, Nujoma had to be hospitalised and separated from potential threats at his home in Windhoek.
“He has been coughing a little bit since last week, but the cough has gone down now. He is fine, and not in the intensive care unit. The symptoms subsided, but I wanted to keep him in a safe environment,” the physician added.
Nujoma's wife, Kovambo Nujoma, has tested negative for the virus, but Ithete said he advised her to temporarily move out of the house because of the number of people who come to the house daily.
“Mee kulu moved out for now because we felt the cases were becoming too many. Initially, I wanted them to move out of Windhoek and go to the coast because of the increasing cases here. Before that, the suggestion was for them to get tested first before leaving. That is another reason why he (Nujoma) was tested,” Ithete noted.
President Hage Geingob yesterday urged Namibians not to panic after announcing on his various official social media platforms the news that Nujoma has contracted the virus.
The president noted that Nujoma was admitted at a local hospital on Sunday, adding that he is in stable condition and is showing encouraging signs of improvement.
”I wish to reassure the Namibian people that there is no cause for concern at the moment. I appeal for calm and wish to assure that the Namibian public will be informed regularly on progress regarding the medical condition of the founding president. I wish the founding president a prompt recovery,” Geingob noted.
Health and social services minister Kalumbi Shangula yesterday said Namibia recorded 141 new cases, 78 of them from Windhoek. He said the Windhoek cases represent 55% of the total number of confirmed cases.
“Windhoek district continues to record the highest number of Covid-19 cases compared to other districts. We reiterate the importance of observing the Covid-19 regulations and prevention measures. We call on everyone to avoid holding mass gatherings of more than 200 people, wear a mask, maintain a safe distance and clean hands often with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub,” Shangula stated.
The country has 15 219 confirmed cases, 13 949 recoveries and 152 deaths.
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