POLOKWANE – The Minister of Health, Zwelini Mkhize earlier announced that there are now 402 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in South Africa.
Latest confirmed cases of #COVID19 as at 23 March 2020 pic.twitter.com/ryb8WUvQv6
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 23, 2020
Read more: Limpopo’s 1st COVID-19 patient ‘worked here for four days’
The Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba says in a statement that the three new cases are of South African citizens from the Western Cape who travelled to several high risk countries in Europe earlier this month.
She added that upon their return last week, the family of three (husband, wife and child) decided to self-quarantine in Lephalale, an action which the department commends, she said.
She said the three have since assured authorities that they have have made no contact from the airport to the farm since they used their private vehicle and there are no workers on the farm.
“All three persons are asymptomatic but they voluntarily tested because they travelled from high risk countries. They will not be admitted to hospital since they are not sick, however a team from the department will monitor all three until they have been cleared.”
Read more: COVID-19: Highly anticipated national address set for Monday evening
Ramathuba has once again called on communities to take the issue of the coronavirus, Covid-19 seriously and take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus and to not ignore the proclamation by the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, concerning gatherings of more than 100 people.
“No matter how much effort government puts into the fight against this scourge, if communities do not come on board, we will not win this battle. As the numbers continue to increase, the risk of travellers spreading the virus to other areas within the country is also increasing which might make it difficult to contain the virus.
“For us as a country to achieve a flat curve we must discourage movement and call on people to remain wherever they are,” said the MEC.
Read more: Covid-19 patients who infect others may face murder charges
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).