Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced an increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in South Africa at a press briefing. This takes the total number to 202, an increase of 52 from yesterday [March 19]. The Free State now has 7 more cases.
“One of the positive cases in Free State is a mother of two, who is a health worker. Because of the work she does in a private hospital, government has identified the number of patients she looked after and they too will be screened,” he said.
Mkhize says the two children, whose mother is a nurse, will be quarantined even though they tested negative. This will be for 14 days and the mother will be monitored until she shows no symptoms.
Short clip of Media briefing Free State #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/DEOm0B0LbA
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 20, 2020
Of the other cases in the Free State six are people who have travelled abroad.
He reiterated that this doesn’t mean everyone will have serious illnesses. “The virus is going to be with us for quite a while, it will be one of those viruses that our bodies will have to build new immunities to face.”
“We must mobilise to fight infections. We must flatten the curve. Simple hygiene is key is fighting COVID-19. Please heed the call to follow precautionary measures.”
It is important to note that South African patients have mild symptoms and those infected are improving.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also warned restaurants to follow the curfew on the sale of alcohol or face their equipment being confiscated and their establishment closed down. There will be no sale of alcohol after 6pm.
Also, no more than 50 people are allowed to gather at eateries around SA, this includes the restaurant staff.