Mkhize: People must not fear coronavirus
Updated | By Sinethemba Madolo
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says South Africa is more than capable winning the battle against coronavirus.
Mkhize addressed the Umngungundlovu District community after two people from the area tested positive for Covid-19.
Three people in South Africa have tested positive for the virus.
The department says the latest patient is the wife of the KwaZulu-Natal man first diagnosed with Covid-19 following a ski trip to Italy.
The couple's two children were also tested and were cleared of the virus.
Mkhize said it would have been difficult for South Africa to escape the virus completely.
ALSO READ: Third case of coronavirus confirmed in SA
"It was a matter of time before people were infected in South Africa. All the countries will have this virus as part of their daily lives, there was no way we were going to stop it.
"So what is important to us is to de-mistify this virus and make people to not fear it.”
Mkhize said the country will look at international best practice when dealing with Covid-19.
"As we speak today the number of deaths in China are much worse than any part of the world, but also the new infection are fewer than the rest fo the world.
"This basically means we can deal with this thing if we take examples from the rest of the world."
He also reiterated his trust in the country’s health professionals.
"The health professionals - both in public and private - are fairly competent to manage this thing. All we need is people to co-operate.
"They must inform us if they have been in an area where there has been a problem, they must hygienic and wash the hands and everything else we will manage.”
Show's Stories
-
LISTEN: Actress Sophie Joans talks about her award-winning play
Two extraordinary stage talents, Sophie Joans and Rob van Vuuren, have t...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 6 hours ago -
LISTEN: The best road trip tips ahead of the Easter weekend
From traffic to packing, Rob Forbes and Rozanne McKenzie are sharing tip...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 9 hours ago