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
-
NIC and partners commit to improve insurance coverage through inclusive insurance
3 mins -
Thieves ransack Obuasi Hospital Medical Superintendent’s residence
14 mins -
Kenya: Safari Rally to be Extended to Five Days
20 mins -
Rebel Wilson lost her virginity at 35; hopes to spread a ‘positive message’ by sharing her story
38 mins -
I applied for speedy hearing of injunction application by Dafeamekpor – Attorney General clarifies
53 mins -
Sarkodie, Keche, Yvonne Nelson, other celebs angered by Tema General Hospital power outage
1 hour -
Kenya – Strengthening Healthcare: World Health Organization (WHO) Donates 940 Tablets for Health Emergency Response
1 hour -
BoG appoints Dr. Joseph France as advisor for management of UMB
1 hour -
WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations to be staged in Accra in May
1 hour -
Mother, who alleges that her baby died due to ‘dumsor’ shares her story
1 hour -
Academic City’s Business and Communication Dean launches new book
1 hour -
FIFA development delegation in Ghana to review GFA projects
2 hours -
United States (U.S.) Senators Oversee United States Government (USG) Health Assistance To Angola At The Instituto Técnico De Saúde De Luanda
2 hours -
Must teachers always strike before concerns are addressed? – Peter Anti quizzes
2 hours -
John Kumah’s wife inconsolable at his one week observance [Video]
2 hours