Central SA
#CoronavirusFS: Healthcare workers among those positive─── LUCKY NKUYANE 10:09 Sun, 29 Mar 2020
Three doctors, one nurse and a neurophysicist in the Free State are amongst some those who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, says although these healthcare workers are in good medical condition, a 70-year-old doctor is in the Intensive Care Unit. None of these doctors was infected by patients, they instead came in contact with family members, friends and colleagues who had tested positive.
So far the province has seen an increase of 19 new cases and the number of those infected by the virus tipped from 49 to 68.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Department spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says 1 259 contacts have been identified and 973 have been reached with 773 classified as asymptomatic, meaning they are not showing any signs of illness.
Mvambi says 200 are symptomatic, meaning that they are coughing, sneezing, have a throat irritation or difficulty in breathing.
OFM News reported earlier that Mkhize – while addressing the nation on the Covid-19 – flagged Mangaung, which includes Bloemfontein, as well as Sandton in Gauteng, as potential epicentres of the virus in South Africa.
The Bloemfontein cases follow after five International guests - who attended a church gathering at the Divine Restoration Ministries - tested positive for Covid-19. Amongst other attendees was Member of the National Parliament (MP) and Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, as well as well-known South African writer and evangelist, Angus Buchan.These two confirmed during the week that they also tested positive for the virus.
Mkhize had earlier confirmed that the spike in the Free State's numbers was as a result of the church gathering.
OFM News