GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - News broke on Tuesday 28 April that the first Covid-19 case had been recorded in Graaff-Reinet.

This was confirmed in statement by the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality on Tuesday afternoon. "The positive patient's immediate contacts have been traced and tested," the municipality's statement read.

"The patient is quarantined and will be monitored by the Department of Health. All traced and tested contacts are self- isolating."

Mayor Deon de Vos said in a statement that he has confidence in local health staff. "I know they will not expose our people to the virus and will follow all steps necessary to prevent any spread." De Vos advised residents to remain calm whenever a new local case is confirmed, "and ensure that everything is being done to prevent the spread."

Eastern Cape Health Department Spokesperson, Siyanda Manana, was approached by the Advertiser for more information, but no comment was received in time for publication.

The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800 029 999 with any suspected case of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Group Editors (publications and online platforms) is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

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