Two patients in KwaZulu-Natal suspected of being infected with the coronavirus have been cleared, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed on Thursday night.



Spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Jimoh said there were therefore no positive cases in South Africa.

This after two suspected cases were reported pending laboratory confirmation, the provincial health department said earlier on Thursday.

At the time, spokesperson Noluthando Nkosi said one case was being handled at a departmental facility, while the other was at a private facility in Durban.

According to Nkosi, the department had been monitoring the treatment and management of these patients "quite closely".

This in accordance with the extensive stringent measures and protocols that have been put in place as announced by the health department.

On Wednesday, a patient in Limpopo was cleared after being held in isolation at Ellisras Hospital in Lephalale.

According to the provincial health department, this had been a precautionary measure after the man developed a high fever and other symptoms consistent with a respiratory disease.

According to Al Jazeera, at least 25 countries have confirmed cases of the virus.

On Wednesday, the death toll from the outbreak in mainland China rose to 563, it reported.