Coronavirus: South Africa conducts test for over 60 people

At least, a total of 61 persons have been screened in South Africa by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for the deadly coronavirus.

The virus, as of today, has claimed over 1000 lives, with more than 43,000 affected since it broke out in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019.

According to the NICD, all 61 persons tested negative for the virus. The organisation's spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Jimoh said they arde still pushing ahead with surveillance activities and testing of those who show symptoms of the virus.

“SA remains a destination of choice for many travellers, with a lot of traffic managed from Cape Town International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport. All ports of entry, including the aforementioned high-traffic airports, remain on high alert for a possible case,” said Jimoh.

“It is possible that we will detect a case and, as such, we would like to assure the public that should SA identify a positive case, the country is well prepared to deal with it.

“The NICD, working together with the national department of health, continues to enhance systems to rapidly identify and detect any imported cases that may reach our borders.”

Jimoh said while the outbreak was ongoing in other countries, “we encourage the public to heed to the measures to prevent the spread of respiratory infections”.

“We recommend good practice of hand hygiene and cough etiquette,” she said.

This included:

*Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;

*Frequent handwashing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment; and

*Avoiding markets where live animals are sold.

Times Live