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UPDATE 2-South Africa retracts comment about local transmission of coronavirus

Published 12/03/2020, 19:03
UPDATE 2-South Africa retracts comment about local transmission of coronavirus

(Updates after health minister comments)
JOHANNESBURG, March 12 (Reuters) - South Africa's health
ministry on Thursday retracted a comment that the country had
seen the first case of local transmission of the coronavirus,
saying that an error had been made by the laboratory that tested
the patient.
Sub-Saharan Africa has reported far fewer cases of
coronavirus than in Europe or China, but some analysts worry it
could spread rapidly in poor or overcrowded areas if local
transmission does take hold.
In giving an update on cases, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize
retracted a statement that a patient had contracted the virus
after contact with a Chinese businessman, saying such reference
should not have been made and that the person had been confirmed
negative after subsequent testing.
"We want to indicate publicly we withdraw that and we regret
that such a reference was made," he said.
South Africa's new total of 16 confirmed cases of
coronavirus, up from 13 on Wednesday, is still the most in
sub-Saharan Africa.
It has not reported any deaths from the virus.
If it were to take hold, the potential impact on Africa's
most industrialised economy could be substantial. It is already
in recession and suffering from weak investor confidence.
South Africa has stepped up screening at ports of entry to
try to limit the risk of new infections but has not imposed bans
on travel to China or other badly affected countries.
The government has dispatched a plane to repatriate more
than 100 South African citizens living under lockdown conditions
in the Chinese city of Wuhan. None of those being repatriated
have tested positive for coronavirus.


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