This morning, 8 March, test results were received of the wife of the first South African patient confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.
She was part of the group of 10 travellers who returned from Italy recently. It has been confirmed that she tested postive for COVID-19 making this the third confirmed case in South Africa.
Results for the rest of the members of the group are expected to be received within the next 48 hours.
The public is advised that the couple’s children have also been tested and their results were negative, however, as a precautionary measure, the children will remain in self quarantine until their parents test negative where they will then be tested again to ensure that they are still negative.
Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize spoke to the first confirmed patient this morning and described him as being “upbeat and jovial.” He also spoke to the doctor who is treating him who confirmed that the patient is responding well and is now asymptomatic.
