This follows the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize’s announcement confirming the first seven cases of coronavirus in the province earlier this week. Mkhize said five of the seven cases in the Free State were visitors from the USA, Israel, and France who attended a local church gathering in March. 

Free State Health Department spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, confirms CRC is not associated in any way with these cases. He adds, however, there is another church that these foreign nationals visited. He also adds that a team of tracers have started tracking the congregants from this church who attended the gathering. Mvambi says after tracing all the church members, they will be screened.

The Department of Health in the Free State has screened 1079 individuals, including parents, and teachers in Bloemfontein. Further, the provincial Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu, has launched two mobile Covid-19 screening buses. They will be stationed at the Pelonomi Hospital and Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein.

Mvambi appealed for calm and urged everyone to refrain from spreading unverifiable information on social media. He says anyone who spreads fake news may be arrested.

“We appeal to the people of the Free State to call 0800-02-9999 or 0800-111-132 in case anyone experiences flu-like symptoms after possibly being exposed to the coronavirus. Continue to spread the message of regularly washing hands with soap and running water or a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitiser.. Cover your cough and sneezes. Avoid shaking hands by using the elbow greeting,” Mvambi said.

OFM News