The novel coronavirus has hit South African shores. The ministry of health said in a statement on Thursday that a suspected case of Covid-19, as the virus is called, has tested positive.

The patient, according to the department, is a 38-year-old man who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people who arrived back in South Africa on 1 March.

“The patient consulted a private GP on 3 March with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough.”

The patient has been self-isolating since 3 March. The couple also has two children, the ministry said in the statement.

A “tracer team” has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

The GP has self-isolated as well, the ministry said.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize will hold a media briefing on Thursday evening to provide more information. — (c) 2020 NewsCentral Media

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