Coronavirus: First child tests positive for virus in Western Cape
- A Grade 9 Western Cape pupil has tested positive for the coronavirus
- The United Herzlia School student is the first case of a child contracting the virus in SA
- The school has confirmed that the pupil has gone into quarantine with her family
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A Grade 9 pupil from the Western Cape is South Africa's first confirmed case of a child contracting the coronavirus.
TimesLIVE reports that the girl is a student at the United Herzlia School and has since gone into quarantine with her family.
The school has confirmed that both her parents and younger sibling tested negative for the virus:
"In this instance, the confirmed patient is a student in the Middle School in grade 9. Her sibling in Highlands Primary and both parents have all tested negative. The family is enforcing self-quarantine, and has been doing so since Thursday afternoon."
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Confirmed cases jump to 24, more expected says minister
In response to the situation, the school revealed that all campuses will be shut down until the end of the school holidays.
Extramural activities have also been brought to a halt after a parent tested positive for the virus.
Briefly.co.za reported that Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize had confirmed there are currently 24 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in South Africa.
Despite earlier reports of one case being transmitted locally, Mkhize confirmed that all cases had contracted the disease during travels overseas.
The minister revealed that the actual number of cases could rise as tests were currently being conducted on suspected cases.
Meanwhile, the plane carrying 120 South Africans back into the country from Wuhan, China is expected to land on Saturday.
Mkhize assured citizens that the allocated quarantine facility was well-prepared to handle the situation.
However, the minister warned citizens that anyone who attempted to enter the facility would be placed under quarantine and face possible legal action.
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Source: Briefly News
