On Saturday the Free State Health Department ran a mass screening operation at the church in question after Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, announced in a Bloemfontein briefing that five of the church’s international guests from the United States, Israel and France had tested positive for Covid-19. The Free State's Health MEC went on to report that of the 62 people screened for the virus, 9 displayed symptoms and were tested. Department spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, now confirms of this nine, four have tested positive.

Well-known writer and evangelist, Angus Buchan, and leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Kenneth Meshoe, were amongst those attending the gathering. Meshoe who on Sunday announced he would undergo testing for the novel coronavirus, was amongst other political leaders who met with Ramaphosa coincidentally on the coronavirus, less than a week after he was at the Bloemfontein gathering. 

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed positive Covid-19 cases in the country has exceeded 400. The number of those infected by the novel coronavirus in the Free State stands at 13, while the Northern Cape (Hartswater) and North West provinces have recorded their first cases at 2 and 4 respectively. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation this evening.

OFM News