The Health Department has confirmed eight new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to 24.
“At this point, I wish to also bring it to your attention that there are more positive results that have come out.
“The NICD [National Institute for Communicable Diseases] and NHLS [National Health Laboratory Service] are now verifying the information and these results. Thereafter, we will make a formal announcement,” said the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Friday (March 13) in a statement.
Of the confirmed cases, four are from Gauteng and include two males and two females.
In Gauteng, the patients include a 39-year-old female, who had travelled to Switzerland and Austria; a 50-year-old male, who had travelled to Austria; a 21-year-old female, who had travelled to Italy, and a 57-year-old male, who had travelled to Switzerland.
In KwaZulu-Natal, two cases were confirmed. They include a 79-year-old male, who had travelled to Greece and Italy, and a 52-year-old male, who had travelled to Switzerland.
Two cases were also confirmed in the Western Cape. These include a 50-year-old male, who had travelled to Switzerland and Austria, and a 46-year-old male, who had travelled to Italy.
The patients have now been informed and tracing of their contacts is underway.