The first case was first confirmed in KwaZulu Natal. It was confirmed by the Health Minister Zweli Mkhize that South Africa has its first confirmed Covid-19 coronavirus. The novel virus penetrated South Africa through a 38-year-old man who traveled to Italy with his wife.
In a statement released on Thursday confirming the novel virus through the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID), Mkhize said “The patient is a 38-year-old male who traveled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March,”
“The patient consulted a private general practitioner on 3 March with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat, and a cough.”
“The couple also has two children. The Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) has identified the contacts by interviewing the patient and doctor. The tracer team has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from the NICD.”
“This media briefing is to ensure that the public is immediately kept abreast. A press briefing will be held later after the Parliamentary debate this evening to shed more light on this issue.”
The second coronavirus case was confirmed on Saturday, and it is believed the 39-year-old woman who tested positive for the virus came in contact with the Italian traveler who was the first case. It is believed she was amongst the tour group.
The second patient who has now tested positive for Covid-19 will now be immediately admitted to a public health facility in Gauteng that the government has identified as one of the hospitals that are ready to receive Covid-19 positive patients,” said Mkhize.
“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 traveled to Italy. All those who came back to South Africa are currently being tested. We are now awaiting their test results. Since being traced, they have remained in isolation to avoid any further contact with third parties.” He added.
