Up to 121 cases tested, still no coronavirus in SA: NICD
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says up to 121 people have been tested for the novel coronavirus in South Africa since the start of the outbreak - at least 77 of those were classified “persons under investigation”.
Following extensive testing, the NICD had confirmed there still is no case of the virus in South Africa.
NICD's Sibongile Walaza says: "As of 26 February, all results have come out negative."
According to the NICD, the African Region has so far recorded two positive cases of the deadly visu - the first in Egypt earlier this month and the other in Algeria.
The Egyptian case was later cleared.
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New cases have emerged across Europe, many linked to the continent's coronavirus hotspot in northern Italy, amid warnings from health experts to rein in hysteria as the virus continues its march beyond China's borders. The novel coronavirus has killed over 2,700 people and infected more than 80,000 in 34 countries, although the vast majority of cases remain in China, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The institute says healthcare professionals across the country, in both the public and private healthcare sectors, have been instrumental in detecting, identifying, and responding to possible cases.
"We continue to monitor trends of COVID-19 globally and in the African Region to improve our knowledge of the disease and to continually enhance our surveillance and response," says Walaza.
The novel coronavirus has killed over 2,700 people and infected more than 80,000 in 34 countries, although the vast majority of cases remain in China, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).