South African Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize has officially confirmed the second case of COVID-19 in the country.
According to the minister, the carrier is a 39-year-old woman from Gauteng who came in direct contact with the person who was the first reported case. She was part of the group of 10 that travelled to Italy. The woman will be admitted to a public health facility in Gauteng.
The first patient, a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife, was confirmed on March 5 by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
“The public must be notified that we have information and know the whereabouts of all the other 10 people who were part of the group that had travelled to Italy.” sais the minister in a statement today. “All those who came back to South Africa, are currently being tested. We are now awaiting their test results to come out. Since being traced, they have remained in isolation to avoid any further contact with third parties.”
Confirmation of Second Case of COVID-19 In South Africa #COVID19 #Coronavirus @HealthZA pic.twitter.com/1wxHZsApeB
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 7, 2020
At this time, there have been no confirmed cases in the Western Cape. A man suspected to be infected was admitted to Tygerberg Hospital on March 6, 2020, but the results were negative.
“We continue to call for calm and cooperation from the public and the media during this period. We also request that the privacy of the patients, the affected individuals and families be respected,” adds the minister. “Our commitment to do everything in our power to mitigate against the uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 in our country, remains”
Also read: If you suspect the coronavirus, don’t go to the doctor
Picture: Pixabay