The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa have increased to 1 187 by Saturday, health minister Zwelini Mkhize said.

Mkhize said the only marginal increase, of 17 cases from Friday, does not indicate a decline in the number of infections, but is merely a reflection of positive results that were received, verified and ready for reporting on Saturday.

He said 11 medical doctors are among those infected, but that all of them were infected due to contact with family, friends and colleagues.

South African only has one reported coronavirus-related death to date

Mkhize said the state must “outrightly state” that the increase of 17 cases from Friday does not indicate a decline in the number of infections, but is merely a reflection of positive results that were received, verified and ready for reporting on Saturday.

He said all the doctors were infected due to contact with family, friends and colleagues, and that one 70-year-old doctor is in the intensive care unit in the Free State.

The repatriated South African citizens from Wuhan have all also tested negative for the disease, Mkhize said.