President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Taxi Times, the Presidency has announced that Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms.
“The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier on Sunday,” says Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele.
“The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defense Force,” he says.
Ramaphosa is fully vaccinated and will remain in self-isolation in Cape Town.
Deputy President David Mabuza will take over all the president’s responsibilities for the next week.
Gungubele says on his recent visit to four West African states, President Ramaphosa and the South African delegation were tested for COVID-19 in all countries.
Ramaphosa urges people to remain vigilant
The president and the delegation returned to SA from Senegal on Wednesday last week, after obtaining negative test results.
The President also tested negative on his return to Johannesburg on December 8.
“Sunday’s proceedings in Cape Town were undertaken in compliance with health regulations pertaining to hand hygiene, the wearing of face masks and social distancing,” the Minister says.
He adds that Ramaphosa says his infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated. The president also urged citizens to remain vigilant against exposure.
“Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. People who have had contact with the President on Sunday are advised to watch for symptoms or to have themselves tested,” says Gungubele.