Two South Africans that worked on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the coronavirus, the health ministry announced today, 28 February.
According to Japanese authorities, there were 12 South Africans working on board the Diamond Princess. The infected persons are currently being treated in Japan.
‘The latest reports indicate that they are currently asymptomatic,’ the ministry said in a statement. ‘At this stage, it is most appropriate that the Covid-19 confirmed South African citizens should be treated in Japan until they are fully recovered from the virus and are no longer contagious before they travel further.’
‘For the remaining 10, they will be permitted to disembark the ship as per the instructions of their employer after they test negative for coronavirus, be subjected to a further 14-day quarantine in Japan, then further tested thereafter to determine if they may be cleared for travel,’ the statement continued.
‘South Africa will continue to monitor the situation closely and maintain contact with the government of Japan in order to keep the public informed.’
Another 132 South Africans will be brought home from Wuhan, the government announced yesterday. There are estimated to be a total of 199 South Africans in Wuhan.
‘These compatriots are currently living under lockdown conditions following the outbreak of the coronavirus,’ President Cyril Ramaphosa announced. None of the South Africans have tested positive for the virus.
On their return to South Africa, they will be placed in quarantine for 21 days as a precaution.
Today, the first case of the virus in sub-Saharan Africa was confirmed in Nigeria. The total number of fatalities due to the virus this far is 2,788 worldwide, according to Al Jazeera.
Image: Twitter/urbanlajme
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