According to a statement by the provincial health department, many of those who tested positive are as a result of people who attended a church gathering in Bloemfontein. 

The departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says 1 259 contacts have been identified and 973 have been reached. He says 773 of those were classified as asymptomatic - meaning they are not showing any signs of illness.

Mvambi further says 200 are symptomatic, which means that they are coughing, sneezing, have a throat irritation or difficulty in breathing. 

OFM News reported earlier that Mkhize – while addressing the nation on Covid-19 – flagged Mangaung which includes Bloemfontein, as well as Sandton in Gauteng, as potential epicentres of the virus in South Africa.

So far three more Bloemfontein churches,  the Global Reconciliation Church,  Word to the World Ministries and Eagle Christian Church, have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. 

Mvambi says 480 people had attended a church service earlier this month at the Divine Restoration Church whereafter five international guests later tested positive for Covid-19.

He adds that leaders of the mentioned churches attended one of the church services and later interacted with their own congregations whilst unaware that they had contracted the virus.

"We appreciate that the churches have taken active responsibility of ensuring that their members know about the infection and that they come forward for screening and possible testing," Mvambi adds.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country now stands at 1 187, with only one death reported and 31 patients who have recovered.

OFM News