Suspected Coronavirus case in Cape Town does not meet criteria to be tested

A patient with symptoms similar to Covid-19 was reported in Cape Town.

However, the patient does not have the coronavirus, the Western Cape Department of Health confirmed in a statement. The patient was also not tested.

The department announced on Saturday that a suspected Covid-19 case was detected in Parow on Friday.

Based on information from the person, it initially matched the symptoms of a Covid-19 case and the response team stepped in immediately, according to the department.

However, further investigation revealed that the person did not meet the criteria for Covid-19 and therefore did not need to be tested.

The department is urging the public not to use the Covid-19 situation for personal gain, as it results in resource misuse and unnecessary panic.

Currently, no cases of the virus have been confirmed in the Western Cape.