South Africa ’ s Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel on Saturday tested positive for COVID - 19 , the cabinet said , the fourth minister to contract the virus in Africa ’ s hardest - hit country .
Cabinet spokeswoman Phumla Williams said in a statement that Patel , 58 , received his results on Saturday.
“ Minister Patel is in good spirits and is in self - quarantine , and will continue to work from home , ” Williams said .
“ Those that have been in contact with the Minister are also in self - isolation and have been encouraged to get tested , ” she added .
Four ministers and several MPs have so far contracted coronavirus in South Africa , which has the highest numbers of diagnosed infections in Africa and ranks fifth in the world after the United States , Brazil , India and Russia.
On Monday, both Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi , 61 , and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe , 65 , were separately admitted to hospital with the virus .
The fourth is Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula , who has since recovered.
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