HEALTH Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize yesterday briefed parliament on the country’s preparedness to deal with the coronavirus.
He said there were about 3 000 South Africans working and studying in China.
Mkhize said about 130 people who were in Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus epidemic, would be brought back to Mzansi and placed under quarantine.
More than 3 000 people have died from the new virus across the world.
In China, 186 000 people were under observation, with 80 000 having tested positive.
South Korea had 5 000 infections and 33 had died, while Italy had 2 500 infections and 79 deaths.
Iran had 23 000 infections and 77 deaths.
Mkhize said Mzansi needed to be on high alert as the virus was spreading to new countries.
“Our level of readiness is that we can treat any patient and every province is ready. We have upped the game at major ports with protective clothing for staff and disinfectant on the floor.”
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Mkhize said 81 countries were affected and it was likely coronavirus would hit South Africa very soon.
“The spread of the disease is said to be by droplet infection. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, headaches and other flu-like symptoms with quite a high fever,” he said.
Mkhize said reports of people in South Africa being infected with the virus were fake news.
