March 11: 12h00

The South African Ministry of Health has announced six new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 13.

The new confirmed cases come six days after the first confirmed case of the virus was announced by the Ministry.

There are four cases of COVID-19 in Gauteng – currently the province with the most number of confirmed cases. A male traveller returned to South Africa from Austria and Italy on March 9 and a couple who had travelled to Germany arrived on the same day.

A 36-year-old male traveller who returned to South Africa on March 9 after travelling to multiple countries – including Germany and Turkey – is the first confirmed case in the Western Cape.

The Ministry has been advised of all patients, with some already in hospital and others in self-quarantine.

CEO of South African Tourism, Sisa Ntshona, said the organisation was engaging with its partners in the tourism sector to find solutions for a national response to the COVID-19 outbreak. “It goes without saying that our first priority is the health and safety of our people.

“The South African government is continuing to monitor the situation to take the appropriate decisions and actions to ensure the safety of all citizens and limit the spread of the virus,” added Ntshona.