‘Covid-19 can be prevented, controlled and cured. Learn from China’

China will soon win the battle against the Covid-19 outbreak.

These are the words of the Chinese ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, during an update of China’s current coronavirus situation on Friday.

“I am proud to say that after over a month of unremitting efforts, the spread of Covid-19 in mainland China has effectively been brought under control.

“The numbers of new confirmed cases and new suspected cases have been declining continually and dramatically. The cure rate has been increasing and rising significantly.

As of March 5, the number of new confirmed cases nationwide had dropped to 143 from 3 887 on February 4. The number of new suspected cases nationwide had dropped to 102 from 5 328 on February 5.

“The Chinese people have been resuming their work and production,” Songtian said.

The embassy has attributed the latest developments to China’s prevention and control measures.

Songtian said China’s method had proven to be successful.

“All countries shall learn from China’s aggressive response mechanism,” he said.

The embassy has also expressed concern over the spread of coronavirus in other countries, including South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran.

And Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Thursday confirmed the first case of coronavirus in South Africa.

A 38-year-old KwaZulu-Natal man had tested positive after travelling to Italy with his wife. The patient has been self-isolating since March 3.

Hilton’s Cowan House Preparatory School, which the couple’s children attended, closed its doors as a precaution.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa cautioned South Africans not to panic.

READ: Coronavirus: Don’t panic, just be alert, says Ramaphosa

“We should be alert so that people can get medical assistance if they begin to show signs. Rest assured that government will demonstrate its seriousness in terms of dealing with this matter,” Ramaphosa said.

Songtian has called on all countries around the world to stay united in the fight against the epidemic. “Covid-19 can be prevented, controlled and cured,” he said.

Over 100 000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally since the outbreak. The virus has also claimed the lives of over 3 000 people.

Get in touch  City Press

+27 11 713 9001 news@citypress.co.za Media Park, 69 Kingsway Road, Auckland Park

Rise above the clutter | Choose your news | City Press in your inbox

City Press is an agenda-setting South African news brand that publishes across platforms. Its flagship print edition is distributed on a Sunday.