On 4 March, the The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) issued clarification on the current status of COVID-19 in the country.

“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, notes rumours circulating on social media, particularly on WhatsApp about a positive COVID-19 case in South Africa.

We wish to assure the public that the rumours are false and in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, will make an official announcement. We urge all South Africans to desist from the sharing of false information…”