This, as Mkhize on Sunday evening announced that the number of those infected with the deadly virus in the province now stands at 72 - up from 68. This means that there has been an increase of 4 more new cases recorded in the province after 19 were recorded on Saturday night, taking the tally from 49 to 68. 

These new numbers came several hours after the Provincial Department of Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says 1 259 contacts had been identified and 973 have been reached. Mkhize earlier had said that the spike in the Free State Covid-19 cases come as a result of a church gathering which had five international guests who tested positive for the virus.

So far, the country has recorded a total number of 1280 cases of Covid-19 with two people declared dead due to the virus. It was also reported that 31 patients have recovered nationally as well.  

OFM News reported earlier that Mkhize – while addressing the nation on Covid-19 – flagged Mangaung (which includes Bloemfontein), as well as Sandton in Gauteng, as potential epicenters of the virus in South Africa. On Saturday evening he announced that three doctors, one nurse and a neurophysicist in the Free State are among some of those who tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Although these healthcare workers are in good medical condition, a doctor in his seventies is in the Intensive Care Unit. 

"None of these doctors were infected by patients, they instead came into contact with family members, friends and colleagues who had tested positive," he added.

OFM News