SA’s first coronavirus case confirmed
The Department of Health on Thursday confirmed South Africa’s first positive case of Covid-19.
In a statement confirming the positive test, the department said the 38-year-old patient traveled to Italy with his wife.
They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March.
"The patient consulted a private general practitioner on March 3, with symptoms of fever, headache, Malaise, a sore throat, and a cough. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab," the statement says.
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The man, who lives in KwaZulu-Natal, has been self-isolating since March 3.
The couple also has two children.
“The Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) has identified the contacts by interviewing the patient and doctor,” the statement adds.
“The tracer team has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from NICD. The doctor has been self-isolated as well.”
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize is expected to brief the media on Thursday afternoon.