An outbreak of the virus has killed 170 people and infected more than 7,700 people in China, as well as around 100 people across more than a dozen other countries.
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There have been no confirmed cases in South Africa, with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize saying earlier this week that the country’s authorities are in highest alert for any possible cases.
The outbreak has also led to numerous false reports of confirmed cases in South Africa, with the Life Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria saying it’s also received queries on a possible patient at the hospital.
Life Healthcare’s Joy Cleghorn says no patient has been admitted carrying the virus.
“Life Healthcare can confirm that none of its patients have been diagnosed with the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to date. Life Healthcare takes all suspect cases seriously and works closely with the NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases) as well as the Department of Health.”