Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Chief Executive Officer Dr David Uirab said there are currently 3 000 samples in the queue to be tested for COVID-19.
Dr Uirab this morning said the backlog bettered because at some point it was at 5 000 samples in the queue.
“We started testing 25 samples per day and now we are testing over 450,” Dr Uirab said.
Dr Uirab said the current samples are not only from Erongo Region but from Windhoek and other parts of the country as well.
In an effort to deal with the backlog, NIP recruited more medical technologists to start testing throughout the day and night.
“They have ended with their training yesterday so now we are to start with double shifts,” Dr Uirab explained.
Dr Uirab admitted that Namibia should test as many people as possible but said the testing should be targeted.
“We should make sure that we do not neglect to test those who are at most risk and those need to be prioritised,” Dr Uirab said.
NIP listed Erongo and Khomas as priority regions along with all ports of entry in the country.
Eagle FM speaks to Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Chief Executive Officer Dr David Uirab on the backlog at the NIP as well as the country’s priority areas.
NIP still to test 3 000Covid-19 samples
