KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala has welcomed the news
that the first two South Africans who contracted the coronavirus are back home
from hospital.
One of them is “patient zero”, a 38-year-old man from Hilton in the
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, who was confirmed as SA's first Covid-19 patient almost
two weeks ago. The second patient is understood to be his wife.
Both were in isolation at Grey's Hospital in
Pietermaritzburg after they contracted the virus while on an Italian ski trip.
Since then, SA has had 202 confirmed coronavirus cases. No
deaths have been reported.
Zikalala was speaking on the sidelines of the first meeting
of the provincial command team (PCT) on Friday — tasked with providing a
comprehensive response to the coronavirus pandemic in the province.
The PCT, according to the premier's office, is the highest
level intervention structure co-ordinated by Zikalala and comprises MECs, HODs
and key stakeholders including Correctional Services and the SA Police Service.
Zikalala said the news of the speedy recovery of the two
patients “signalled hope amid the despair and gloom” sparked by the spread of
Covid-19 in the country.
“This development (the recuperation of the first two
patients) inspires hope in line with KZN's coronavirus battle mantra
'Siyayinqoba (We will conquer) the coronavirus pandemic'.
“This is very important as it dispels fear among our people
and confirms that coronavirus is curable through early medical intervention and
through people heeding precautions laid out by government,” said Zikalala.
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu also expressed
satisfaction at the news, citing the capability and professionalism in the
public health care system to deal with major outbreaks such as the coronavirus.
During the meeting Zikalala also announced an intensive
ground mobilisation programme, which includes all MECs visiting various
districts to lead education and awareness programmes and to conduct assessments
of readiness and the availability of required infrastructure.
The programme kicks off on Wednesday March 25. Times
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