Covid-19 is now in the Windhoek central prison where health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said they have recorded 13 cases.

The 13 cases are part of Windhoek’s 72 cases recorded in the past 24 hours.

This is the first time that Covid-19 has been reported in the Windhoek Correctional Facility after some cases at Walvis Bay.

Dr Shangula said it is imperative that people in secluded places like prisons, holding cells, hospitals, hostels, police camps, military barracks, etc., observe more precautionary measures, as the risk of fast transmission to a number of people is very high in these settings.

In June, two prison officers tested positive for Covid-19 and many others including inmates were quarantined.

In July, two offenders at the Walvis Bay prison became the first known to test positive for Covid-19.

The Namibia Correctional Services Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said they are aware of 12 cases and are waiting for more information about the 13th case.

Commissioner-General Hamunyela also said he suspects that the two officers from one of the units could have been the source of the virus.

According to Hamunyela, there are about 1 000 inmates at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

Although there is no crowding, Hamunyela said, the facility was not built to cater for Covid-19 because it is built like a school hostel.

“You cannot practise social distancing,” he said, adding that they were trying to decongest the affected unit.

About Walvis Bay, Hamunyela said of the 22 officers who tested positive, 10 are still active while two of the three inmates have recovered.

He further said although they do not have problems with the masks since inmates make them, sanitisers prove to be a problem.