Nelson Mandela Bay records two more COVID-19 cases

Four of the positive COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Cape have come from the Nelson Mandela Bay area, according to HeraldLive.

Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize revealed that South Africa had 1 280 as of Sunday, with the Eastern Cape reporting an increase of two from the previous day to 12.

More COVID-19 cases in Nelson Mandela Bay

EC health department spokesperson Siyanda Manana said both of the province’s latest reported infections come from Nelson Mandela Bay.

“All four of the people who have tested positive in the city are in self-quarantine at home,” he said.

Meanwhile there are other cases reported in a municipality neighbouring Nelson Mandela Bay.

Manana confirmed that St Francis Bay and Aberdeen – both in Sarah Bartmaan – reported infections over the weekend.

“We are in the process of tracing whether these patients were in contact with anyone else and will follow due quarantine rules where needed,” Manana said.

According to him, one was a local transmission, while the other had been in Europe.

“What we know is that the Aberdeen patient had not travelled out of the country but there was an interaction with people from outside SA,” he said.

Province grappling with coronavirus

The first confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the Eastern Cape was reported on 21 March, just two days before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that there would be a three-week national lockdown.

Other Eastern Cape towns to record infections include East London, Willowvale, Komani, and Paterson.

Last week the province made headlines when its “Patient Zero” – a 28-year-old from Beacon Bay in East London broke self-quarantine rules, prompting health officials to step in.

Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba confirmed that the patient was found and placed under isolation.

 “We are now convinced that we won’t have a patient who is going to be seen in the streets and that to us settles this matter.”