Audio By Carbonatix
Police in South Africa are investigating the hijacking of a lorry that was carrying Covid-19 samples in the city of Port Elizabeth.
The lorry was hijacked while parked outside a clinic on Monday and abandoned shortly after, public broadcaster SABC reports.
The samples are reported to be missing. They were contained in cooler boxes filled with ice.
Health authorities have warned the hijackers and the public not to touch the samples because they are potentially highly infectious, the News24 website reports quoting an official from the National Health Laboratory Services in Eastern Cape province.
Health officials are investigating the number of samples stolen before determining how many people to retest, the website adds.
Some 2.5 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in South Africa.
The country has the nighest number of confirmed cases on the continent.
Latest Stories
-
Mali renews Barrick Mining’s Loulo license for 10 more years
36 minutes -
Gender pay gap won’t close for another 30 years, warns UK trade unions group
46 minutes -
No free pass for internet platforms on child safety, Starmer says
57 minutes -
Andrew’s time as trade envoy should be investigated, says Vince Cable
1 hour -
‘Trump will be gone in three years’: Top Democrats try to reassure Europe
1 hour -
Cuban cigar festival called off as US blockade worsens energy crisis
1 hour -
Head of Dubai-based ports giant quits after Epstein links revealed
2 hours -
Nigeria’s state-owned NNPC records $4.2 billion after-tax profit in 2025
2 hours -
French tourist found dead in Chad after falling off cliff
2 hours -
Asuogyaman MP commissions four projects, breaks ground for more on birthday
2 hours -
GNFS averts potential petrol tanker explosion at Aveme Junction
2 hours -
Ferocious fire at Agatex Paint Factory in Ho contained
3 hours -
MTN Ghana drives nationwide blood mobilisation in partnership with Ho Teaching Hospital
3 hours -
MTN Ghana leads lifesaving blood drive as Ho Teaching Hospital warns of critical shortages
3 hours -
KNUST dominate maiden SEEDAfrique Relay Open Championship in Kumasi
3 hours