US extends funding for virus analysts, health specialists

The United States has extended its funding of the contracts of Covid-19 data analysts and public health specialists as the number of Covid-19 cases continue to increase.

A media statement issued by the US Embassy in Namibia yesterday said the embassy also continues to provide support to the ministry of health to respond to the challenges of Covid-19.

The extension of the support to the ministry of health, done through the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, means the 11 data clerks and four public health specialists will continue to serve for an additional month.

The original contracts for the positions were for three months.

The data clerks have helped process the results of over 215 000 tests performed to date in Namibia.

The personnel were hired through local human resources agency Potentia Namibia Recruitment, the statement reads. “As Namibia starts 2021, we must maintain our understanding of how Covid-19 is affecting the country. The US Embassy is proud to be a partner in health, helping to strengthen Namibia’s response to Covid-19.

We are helping to ensure that the decisions made are based on the latest information available.

This makes it easier for Namibia to take necessary actions,” US ambassador Lisa Johnson was quoted as saying in the statement. The funding for the extension of the contracts forms part of the United States of America’s N$100 million donation to fight Covid-19 as announced by the US Embassy in April 2020. -Nampa