Coronavirus latest: Two South Africans under quarantine in China

It has been confirmed that the first South Africans to be screened for coronavirus have been quarantined in China. The deadly disease – which has been reported in at least 15 countries as the death nears the 200 mark – has declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation.

Confirmed: First South African cases of coronavirus

On Wednesday, images of travellers returning to South Africa from Hong Kong sparked concerns about lax border checks. The South African government has moved to assure citizens that everything is being done to properly screen travellers from Asia, as officials desperately try to keep the coronavirus out of Mzansi.

BREAKING NEWS: Two South Africans under quarantine in China following coronavirus outbreak . There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Africa.#SABCNews. pic.twitter.com/ZnKlRXzxEK

— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) January 31, 2020

Is coronavirus in South Africa?

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told the public about the South African coronavirus cases on Friday morning. His daily briefings have been shedding light on the country’s preparedness to deal with the illness, and he has stated that no coronavirus cases have yet been detected within SA:

“We welcome the declaration of an emergency of international concern. We reassure our people that there is no confirmed case of the virus in the country. However, there are two South Africans in China who are under quarantine.”

“South Africa has high referenced laboratories and technical skills to deal with coronavirus. We encourage all South Africans in China to register with embassies so that we know where to find them. At the moment, there is no evidence compelling us to repatriate our citizens from China.”

Zweli Mkhize

Mkhize says there are two South Africans that have been asked to restrict their movements based in China but says this is just procedural checking and monitoring of possible #coronavirus cases. He says the embassy will be able to assist those individuals if they have concerns pic.twitter.com/y2a5ouAUcF

— Lindokuhle Xulu (@LindokuhlXulu1) January 31, 2020

Under quarantine

According to Mkhize, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have also been deployed at certain posts to ensure that border checks are being completed thoroughly. The two quarantined citizens will remain in Tianjin, China. Meanwhile, dozens of our compatriots are stuck in the now-isolated “epicentre” of the coronavirus outbreak.

#CoronaVirus 35 South Africans are said to be in Wuhan City, the epicenter of the virus, where it was first detected.#sabcnews

— Chriselda 'Babes WeNdaba' Lewis ™️ (@Chriseldalewis) January 31, 2020