South Africa reports first case of local transmission of coronavirus

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South Africa reports first case of local transmission of coronavirus

7:36 CAT | 12 Mar 2020

Tshepo Mabasa, 33, walks among cars selling hand sanitizers for 20 rand (1,10 euros) in Johannesburg, on March 11, 2020, amid the outbreak of COVID-19, the new coronavirus. South Africa has registered 13 cases of the new coronavirus. [Photo:AFP / Guillem Sartorio]

South Africa reported the first case of local transmission of the coronavirus on Thursday, fuelling concerns that sub-Saharan African health systems could be overwhelmed if local transmission accelerates.

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.

South Africa’s Health Ministry said a 32-year-old man contracted the virus after contact with a Chinese businessman.

South Africa has not reported any deaths from coronavirus.

Since the outbreak began in central China in December, more than 126,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus around the world and more than 4,600 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

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 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.

Source: Reuters