JOHANNESBURG - The first case of coronavirus in South Africa has been confirmed.

A 38-year-old man has tested positive for the (COVID-19) virus in KwaZulu-Natal.

The man recently travelled to Italy and has been in self-isolation since.

The Health Ministry says the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive.

The man was traveling with his wife and was part of a group of 10 people when they arrived in South Africa on Sunday.

"The patient consulted with a private general practitioner on March 3, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat, and a cough," the ministry said in a statement.

"The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab."

The health department says that the doctor has been self-isolated as well.

Over 90,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide.

More than 3,000 people have died globally, the vast majority in China.

Over 100 people in Italy have died, while over 3,000 have tested positive.