The Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Kalumbi Shangula says the second wave of COVID-19, that is being experienced in Namibia currently, is more severe than the first. Dr Shangula made the comment this morning at the occasion where the Bank of Namibia handed over medical equipment of about N$3 million to the health ministry. Shangula says efforts put by Government to curb and contain the further spread of the pandemic must be intensified. The minister attributes the rampant spread of the virus to lack of adherence by the public. The cases in Namibia seem far from scaling down. Since Monday the country has recorded over 800 confirmed cases and 16 COVID-19 related deaths. The minister says the donation of medical equipment by the central bank has come at a very crucial time. The medical equipment is tailored to meet various needs in state hospitals across the country, this was said by the bank's governor Johannes !Gawaxab. !Gawaxab further placed emphasis on the need to protect frontline medical staff as they are at much high risk of contracting the virus. The medical equipment, !Gawaxab informed the minister, was bought in consultation with regional health directors and is according to the needs of the respective regions. The equipment which will be distributed to state hospital across the country can still be used for other medical emergencies post-COVID-19.