In a press briefing Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, directorgeneral of WHO, said the
declaration was not a lack of faith in China, but was made because of the situation in other
countries.”
In China there has been thus far 98,440 Coronavirus cases of which 3,387 deaths and 55,660 in recovered cases. It is considered a global emergency, as cases spread to 23 countries. The virus will spread to countries with weaker health systems.  There is currently one confirmed active case in South Africa.

*ER24 and Mediclinic:  “We would like to provide the reassurance that, with strict accordance with NICD and National Department of Health protocols, Mediclinic has implemented the necessary measures to manage any patients with symptoms of the virus and to prevent the potential transmission of the virus in our
facilities.
“While the current health risk to the general South African public is low, based on current information, we urge the public to take the necessary precautions when travelling to affected areas. We also
encourage anyone experiencing signs and symptoms of flu or who thinks that they may have been exposed to the virus to contact their healthcare provider,” stated in a press release.