‘Detection of #COV19 is not a failure’, says communicable disease institute
The man had travelled to Italy with his wife. He has two children.
THE National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD) said the detection of a suspected case of #COVID19 is not a failure.
On a post on Facebook, just hours after a 38-year-old man tested positive the institute said: “This is not a failure but a success of our health systems to be able to detect and rapidly identify cases. The case has been self-isolated at home since the onset of symptoms and is receiving treatment,” they said in a Facebook post.
The statement comes after the national minister of health, Dr Zweli Mkhize said the 38-year-old man had travelled to Italy with his wife.
The man was part of a group of 10 people who arrived back in South Africa on 1 March.
According to the minister, the patient went to a general practitioner on Tuesday this week with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough.
“The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab. The patient has been self-isolating since March 3,” Mkhize added in the statement.
What’s more the couple also has two children. The Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) has identified the contacts by interviewing the patient and doctor.
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532. 
