Healthcare security has been intensified in South Africa after it was confirmed, on Friday, that a second patient has been placed in isolation with symptoms of the widespread Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
South Africa recorded second case of coronavirus – Report
As reported by IOL News, a second patient has been placed in isolation, making this the second known case of coronavirus in South Africa.
What we know about the suspected patient
The patient, a male who resides at the Mount Edgecombe Estate in Durban North, is believed to be linked to Patient Zero as he was apparently part of the group of 10 travellers who returned from Italy on Sunday 1 March.
While Patient Zero, a 38-year-old male from Hilton, Durban, is said to be recovering well, the current condition of the second patient is not known.
However, reports suggest that he has shown signs of coronavirus which include: fever, cough, difficulty breathing and a runny nose.
No word has come from the Health Department or the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) on the validity of these reports.
It is believed the second patient was identified through a letter that was sent around the estate by management,
In the letter, it was noted that a resident at Estate 2 was being tested by the NICD after it was discovered that he had come in contact with Patient Zero.
Coronavirus: What’s the latest death toll?
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize will be expected to provide more clarity on these latest updates as he, together with the MECs for Health and Education in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are set to hold a media briefing in Hilton on Friday.
The death rate of coronavirus has jumped from 2% to 3.5% with more than 3 000 people killed and over 96 000 others infected.
While infections have been on a decline in China, where the virus broke out, countries such as the United States are dealing with rapid increases in infections.