The Ministry of Health and Social Services' Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, urged the public not to panic because of the high number of COVID-19 cases reported in Rehoboth.

He says the ministry is taking the necessary measures to isolate the positive cases and their contacts to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services earlier announced 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Rehoboth in the Hardap Region last week, the majority stemming from Dr. Lemmer High School and one from St. Joseph's Primary School.

However, Nangombe says that the now 36 cases of COVID-19 should not scare people, as no hospitalisation or death has been recorded.

He added that the cases recorded in Rehoboth are not a new outbreak of a new variant of COVID-19, but rather the old variant, omicron.

He urged those who have consistent COVID-19 symptoms to go for testing.

He says that during this time of daily memorial services and large gatherings as the country mourns the late president, people should practice COVID-19 preventative measures such as the wearing of masks.

Nangombe says that since last year, COVID-19 is no longer a public health concern, and most of the measures put in place as COVID-19 prevention measures have been relaxed.

However, in the interest of public health, he urged the members of the public to still practice COVID-19 preventative measures such as hand washing and wearing masks.