The Minister of Health wishes to inform the public that 6 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. This takes the total number of coronavirus positive patients in South Africa to 13.

Gauteng Cases: 4

A 33 year old female who had travelled to Italy and returned on the 1st of March 2020.

A couple, 34 year old male and a 33 year old female who had travelled to Germany. They returned to South Africa on the 9th of March 2020.

A 57 year old male who had travelled to Austria and Italy. He returned to South Africa on the 9th of March 2020.

KwaZulu-Natal Case: 1

A 40 year old male who had travelled to Portugal. He returned on the 7th of March 2020.

Western Cape Case: 1

A 36 year old male who had travelled to multiple countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Turkey. He returned to South Africa on the 9th of March 2020.

All the patients have now been advised. Those who are symptomatic have started receiving treatment. Some of these patients are already in hospital while some, specifically those who are asymptomatic are in self quarantine. Contact tracing has also started for all these cases.

It is also noteworthy that to date, 3 642 tests have been conducted.

More information relating to these case will be communicated. We also request that the privacy of the patients and the families continues to be observed by the media and members of the public.

Issued by Zwelini Mkhize, Minister of Health, 11 March 2020