First case of coronavirus confirmed in South Africa

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has confirmed South Africa’s first coronavirus (COVID-19) case in the country.

The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife.

The patient consulted a private general practitioner on March 3, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough.

The patient has been self-isolating since March 3. The couple also has two children.

The tracer team has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from NICD. The doctor has been self-isolated as well.

[Statement] Minister Zweli Mkhize has confirmed the first case of Covid-19 in South Africa. The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. https://t.co/k8ajDeVwjE #CoronaVirusSA pic.twitter.com/rfR2BM5yu4

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 5, 2020

SABC reports on the first case of COVID-19 in South Africa

#COVID19 #CoronaVirusUpdate https://t.co/koNdjj4EOv

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 5, 2020

It was just a matter of time I guess

— Lesiba Sithebe (@WisemanSithebe) March 5, 2020

South Africa has become the sixth African country to report a confirmed case of coronavirus.

South Africa’s designated hospitals to manage coronavirus:

The National Assembly is debating on the outbreak of the coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands of people throughout the world.

South Africa has taken a decision to evacuate 184 of its citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan which is the epicentre of the outbreak. Only seven South Africans have opted to remain in the city.