Dr Kalumbi Shangula has called on Namibians to accept COVID-19 as the new normal. The Minister of Health and Social Services says the new viral disease is likely to be around for a very long time. Shangula says Namibia can only suppress the spread of the disease and following all necessary measures. The minister told the National Assembly that these measures are bearing fruits with new infections, having been on a downward trend. Dr Shangula says Namibia continues to work with international cooperating partners and follow developments in and around the pandemic. He stressed that the country is participating in the COVID-19 Vaccine Access (COVAX) process in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Gavi. To date, Namibia has 8 810 COVID-19 cases and 91-deaths. -NAMPA