8 new coronavirus cases in SA, tally now at 24
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced 8 new cases of coronavirus in South Africa, bringing the tally up to 24.
All 8 people had recently traveled abroad, including to Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Austria.
Mkhize made the announcement outside The Ranch Resort in Polokwane on Friday, where he is expected to welcome 122 South African citizens touching down on home soil for the first time since the outbreak in China.
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the repatriation of the group from the virus' epicentre in Wuhan.
The Limpopo resort was identified as the quarantine site for the group before they could be sent home to their loved ones.
"Yesterday we have announced 16 cases, today we are announcing 8 that makes it 24," said Mkhize.
Among the 8 new cases, 4 are from Gauteng, 2 in KwaZulu-Natal and another 2 in the Western Cape.
The Northern Cape, North West and Limpopo are still in the clear.
"We will also go to the provinces that have not reported cases and indicate the level that everyone needs to be in terms of identifying contacts and tracing them,” Mkize said.
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The department is rushing to identify other people they may have come into contact with.
Mkhize admitted that the tally was likely to rise again soon.
"We will then tomorrow at a later stage give you the latest total.
"We are aware now that there are additional cases that are positive. We will not reveal the numbers yet until they are verified," he added.