Coronavirus spreads person to person in South Africa

The ministry of health in South Africa has confirmed the country’s first case of coronavirus by local transmission after a 32-year-old man contracted the disease from a Chinese businessman. 

This marks the first instance of the disease spreading from person to person within South Africa, as all other cases have been patients who travelled from abroad. 

The ministry of health also announced four more confirmed cases of Covid 19 in South Africa, bringing the total number to 17. 

On Wednesday the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, meaning it is spreading quickly across the world.

However, the disease continues to grow at a slower pace in Africa, giving governments more time to prepare. So far 81 countries globally are yet to report an outbreak, with more than half of these in Africa. 

There are 132 confirmed cases on the continent and two deaths so far. 

Photo: AFP