This, as the Duduza Clinic in Ekurhuleni in Gauteng has been closed after a nurse tested positive for Covid-19. In a statement the mayor of the city, Mzwandile Masina, says this case is linked to the Divine Restoration Church gathering in Bloemfontein. 

This is where five international guests, including two guests from Israel, two from Texas and one from France, tested positive while attending the service from 10 to 11 March.

So far at least three cases of Covid-19 that trace back to the church gathering have been reported in three provinces, which include the North West, Northern Cape and Gauteng.

Masina says two mobile clinics will be deployed to the area to serve the community.  

"The nurse underwent a chain of tests for Covid19 on 30 March 2020, after being identified as a contact of the Bloemfontein gathering. The results returned positive on 31 March 2020 and the nurse has been subsequently placed under quarantine and is currently under medical observation," he adds.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, previously announced that one of the eight people who tested positive for the coronavirus in the province also traces back to this church gathering in Bloemfontein.

He said a 21-year-old woman, who tested positive for the virus in the province, came into contact with international visitors during a service at the Divine Restoration Ministries, where five international guests tested positive for Covid19.

The patient is from Bloemhof in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district and is currently asymptomatic and is self-isolating.

OFM News previously reported that the first two confirmed cases in the Northern Cape came from Hartswater, where a couple tested positive after attending a church gathering in Bloemfontein.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize – while addressing the nation recently on Covid-19 – flagged Mangaung (which includes Bloemfontein), as well as Sandton in Gauteng, as potential epicentres of the virus in South Africa.

Mkhize said the spike of Covid-19 in the province was linked to the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast held at the Divine Restoration Ministries in Bloemfontein earlier this month

So far, the province has recorded at least one death after the 86-year-old Pastor, John Hlangeni, who also attended the church gathering, died from the virus in Bloemfontein. His 81-year-old wife is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

So far the province has recorded a total number of 76 positive cases of Covid-19 and one death.

OFM News