First Case of Corona-virus confirmed in South-Africa

South Africa has made announcement an announcement that a case of corona virus has been confirmed in the country, making it the third sub-Saharan country to report the infection.

World steps up efforts to tackle COVID-19, as number of people who have died from the virus globally exceed 3,280. In Africa, Senegal has reported one case, while Nigeria has reported four, to date.

Sub-Saharan Africa is considered high risk for an outbreak because of its close ties to China and weak health care infrastructure in many countries. In North Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco have confirmed cases.

South African Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize has addressed the public stating that citizens affected are currently quarantined in China and would be returning home in the next few days.

Mkhize made the announcement shortly after the country confirmed its first case of the virus, a man who had recently travelled to Italy with his wife.  The hashtag #CoronaVirusSA has however started trending worldwide after the first case was confirmed in South Africa.

South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases tweeted that, the infected 38-year-old man had recently traveled to Italy with his wife. A “tracer team” has been identifying anyone who had contact with the man and his personal doctor has also been self isolated to contain the spread of the virus.