Limpopo records its first case on Covid-19

By: Kanego Lewele

Limpopo Province has announced its case of COVID-19 popularly known as Corona Virus.  The case was announced by Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize.  Subsequent to the minister’s announcement, health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba called a media briefing to give more information on the matter.

The MEC revealed that this is a case of a 28-year-old male who travelled to France, Spain and Netherlands and have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to MEC Ramathuba the patient upon his return from overseas he did not show any signs or symptoms of the virus. “We applaud him because although he was asymptomatic, he did not only self –quarantine but also went for testing,” said MEC.

“Unfortunately the results came out positive and our team of public health specialists and epidemiologists are in contact with the doctor who is not sick,” said the MEC.

“We have also established that he has had very minimal contact but our tracer team has been deployed to find his contacts,” says the MEC.

Furthermore, Dr Ramathuba appeals to anyone who travelled abroad recently to isolate themselves and present themselves for testing.

“As a department we are making a clarion call to all our employees and the entire community of Limpopo province that if you know you have travelled abroad especially Europe, Iran and the USA in the past few weeks please do self -quarantine as an extra precautionary measure,” appeals the MEC.

The MEC also welcomed the decision by the Minister of Health to start decentralising testing and for that Polokwane National Health Laboratory Services [NHLS] has been identified as one of the centres.

“Our resident virologist Dr Muthambi has already undergone the training.” MEC added.