Addressing the media at Bophelo House in Bloemfontein, he says people should not panic but adhere to the advice from the government.

He says the first five cases in the Free State are visitors who were attending a local church gathering which 200 people attended. He did not say where in the Free State, or which church held this gathering. These international visitors came from Texas in the USA, Israel, and France. They developed symptoms later.

Mkhize says the other two who make up a total of seven people, include one person who returned from a trip to Italy. He adds that the last person is a health worker and a mother of two who has no history of travelling. He implied that she might have contracted it from her working environment. This mother has two kids at a local primary school in Brandwag, where one is in Grade 1 and the other at grade 2. The two kids have been tested and he is expecting the results of the test at the latest on Saturday. They are in quarantine.

A total of 285 volunteers are expected to be brought in to reinforce the team that will be tracing other people who might have been in contact with the patients. A senior expert has also been dispatched to help the team and he is expected to arrive in Bloemfontein on Friday.

During the morning, Mkhize visited the Brandwag Primary School to oversee the screening of 600 learners and their parents after two of the learners’ mother tested positive.

Mkhize also called on citizens to stop joking about the spread of the virus.

Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela, announced the cancellation of #Macufe, which is usually held in October, as well as the FS Madeira Flower Festival and all June 16 celebrations in the province.

OFM News/ Lucky Nkuyane & Olebogeng Motse