The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has tested positive for Coronavirus.
According to a statement published on the official Twitter handle of the South African President, Ramaphosa “started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today.”
The South African president is said to be in good spirits and is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms.
The tweet also noted that Ramaphosa is fully vaccinated.
The minister in the presidency, Mondli Gungubele, said the president is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defense Force.
Due to this development, Ramaphosa has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week and is in self-isolation.
Gungubele stressed that vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
He said, “President Ramaphosa says his own infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated and remain vigilant against exposure.”
Gungubele also ask that people who had contact with the president on Sunday to watch for symptoms or to have themselves tested.
“President Ramaphosa and the South African delegation were tested for COVID-19 in all countries.”
“The President and the delegation returned to South Africa from the Republic of Senegal on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, after obtaining negative test results. The President also tested negative on his return to Johannesburg on 8 December,” he added.
