The number of South Africans infected with the coronavirus has risen to 61, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday evening.

This is after Health Minister Zweli Mkhize revealed earlier in the day that the figure was sitting at 51, with all known cases coming from people who had travelled abroad in the past few weeks.

More coronavirus cases in South Africa

However, during a much-awaited address held at the Union Buildings, Ramaphosa confirmed that ten more people than what was previously reported had contracted the virus, with local transmissions now part of the equation.

“Never before I the history of our democracy have we been confronted by such a severe situation,” Ramaphosa said. “The SA government has put measures in place to treat those infected. We now have 61 people confirmed positive with the disease in South Africa. Initially, it was people who had travelled from abroad. But we are now dealing with internal transmission of the virus” Cyril Ramaphosa

Key measures announced by Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa’s address comes just after Wits University revealed that the medical student who had been placed under quarantine had tested positive for Covid-19.

The student had had contact with a confirmed case. As a result, the university has instructed 350 other student to self-isolate.

Key measures instituted by government in an effort to curb the rapid spread of the virus include travel bans on foreign nationals coming in from the hardest-hit countries such as China, Italy and the United States.

“We are imposing a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China as from 18 March 2020.” Cyril Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa said that all travellers who have entered South Africa from high-risk countries since mid-February will be required to present themselves for testing.

He also urged South African nationals to put on hold travel plans which include stops in the highly-affected regions.

“South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran, and South Korea.” Cyril Ramaphosa

The President also announced that schools would be closed from Wednesday, 18 March until after the Easter season.

The coronavirus has infected over 160 000 people worldwide, with over 6 000 deaths recorded.