Share

Coronavirus update: 4 more cases confirmed, bringing total in SA to 7

The health ministry has confirmed that four more people have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Monday that four more people who were part of the a group of travellers who recently returned to South Africa from Italy - the same group from which South Africa's first three coronavirus patients came - have tested positive. 

Mkhize said this included a couple in KwaZulu-Natal, a 45-year-old man in the area of Pietermaritzburg, and a 38-year-old man in Pietermaritzburg.

All are currently in quarantine. 

coronavirus

Mkhize said these results were not surprising.

This brings to seven the number of people who have been diagnosed with the deadly virus in the country - all linked to the same travel group.

"At least we know the people involved," Mkhize said. 

"The people who are getting infected had been to countries other than China which means we need to be more vigilant," he added. 

He said another case in the North West had caused concern, as preliminary results had been unclear. Results have since determined that the patients tested negative for the virus. 

South Africa's first coronavirus patient was a 38-year-old Hilton businessman who was part of the Italy travel group.

A 39-year-old woman from Gauteng, who was also part of the group, later tested positive, Mkhize had said on Saturday.

On the same day, the ministry announced that the wife of the first coronavirus patient had also tested positive.

This is a developing story. 

- Compiled by Vanessa Banton. 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Coronavirus: All the fuss is irritating, says doctor who diagnosed first SA case

Coronavirus: Health worker to face disciplinary action for fake voicenote

'The girl who cracked': Quarantine chronicles of a South African student in Wuhan

For more on the Coronavirus and other stories listen to our podcast here on SoundCloud.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 469 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 675 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.92
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.42
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE