The minister of health, Zweli Mkhize, confirmed today, 7 March that the second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in South Africa.
A 39-year-old woman who is from Gauteng, is a direct contact to the first case which was confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal. She is part of the group of ten that traveled to Italy.
The Minister of Health further stated that the department is aware of the whereabouts of all 10 travellers and all of them are currently being tested for the virus. They are currently awaiting the test results and they remain in isolation.
The second patient confirmed with the COVID-19 virus will now be admitted to a public health facility in Gauteng that Government has identified as one of the hospitals ready to treat these patients.
Mkhize further stated that in a seperate incident, a 39-year-old South African man who works in South Korea has tested positive for COVID-19. He was due to return to South Africa and has since remained in South Korea.
The government continues to call for calm and cooperation from the public and media during this period.
