JOHANNESBURG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 jumped to 116 in South Africa on Wednesday as the country intensifies measures to fight the virulent disease.
There were 16 positive tests in Gauteng, the most populated province, 10 in the Western Cape and 3 in Kwazulu Natal and 2 in Mpumalanga. The new cases consist of people who had travelled to countries including Austria, Italy, United Kingdom.
South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that while the majority of the cases were imported from Europe, there were six local transmission in the newly confirmed cases.
"As part of tracking and tracing, we have collated background information on how these patients were infected. We will provide information to the public, so as to give a sense of how these local transmissions occur," he said.
The rise in new positive cases come after President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed stringent measures meant to curb the spread of the virulent disease.
The new measures consists of travel bans to high risk countries including Italy and United Kingdom. Banning of gatherings of more than 100 people were also implemented. Schools are closed across the county.
While tests are being conducted at various airports, the transport minister said random tests would be conducted at taxi and train stations throughout the nation. All the major sporting events including the Premier Soccer League has been put on hold.
Ramaphosa is now leading a Council at the forefront of tackling the outbreak. He's expected to be holding briefings with other ministers three times a week.
Economists have described the outbreak as a "crisis" that would negatively impact the economy.
Ramaphosa said in a statement on Sunday,"The COVID-19 will also have a significant and potentially lasting impact on our economy. In the last few weeks, we have seen a dramatic decline in economic activity in our major trading partners, a sudden drop in international tourism and severe instability across all global markets."
The president said the cabinet is in the process of finalizing a comprehensive package of interventions to mitigate the expected impact of the COVID-19 on the economy.
