This as Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, announced on Monday night 6 April 2020 that 1686 cases have so far been confirmed and 12 deaths. The Free State has so far confirmed that at least two people have died in the province due to complications related to Covid-19. This includes a well-known 86-year-old pastor in Bloemfontein.  The province has also embarked on a massive screening, testing and contact tracing following the outbreak of the virus from a church gathering in Bloemfontein in March where five international guests tested positive for the virus. OFM News previously reported that premier Sisi Ntombela had announced that at least over 60% of the Covid-19 cases in the province was recorded in Mangaung and Bloemfontein in particular.

So far nine people in the province out of 45 have recovered from the virus. Premier Ntombela recently applauded the contact tracing team after it was able to identify more than 1 815 contacts from the positive cases. She said that they have been able to trace 1 484 people and so far 2767 have been screened.

Meanwhile, The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) says so far 50 089 tests of Covid-19 have been conducted across the country and Gauteng province has the highest confirmed number with 713 people who tested positive.  

The communicable disease centre also says that there are 78 cases that have not been allocated or remain unknown across the country. 

The NICD sent its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. It further urged the public to take preventative measures such as meticulous hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water or 60% alcohol-based sanitiser.

OFM News