South African President Tests Positive For COVID-19

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive on Sunday (12 December), the office of the presidency said in a statement.

He has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week.

Ramaphosa “started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honor of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today,” the presidency statement said.

He is however “in good spirits” and is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force.

“President Ramaphosa says his own infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated and remain vigilant against exposure. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization,” the statement said.

South Africa, where scientists identified the new Omicron variant, has recently entered its fourth wave of the pandemic. Just over 25% of the country has been fully vaccinated, with an additional 5% partially vaccinated, according to CNN’s global vaccine tracker.

Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, recently returned from a trip in West Africa. He tested negative for COVID-19 upon his return to Johannesburg on 8 December, according to his office.

The President is now in self-isolation in Cape Town.

 

 

 

 

Read the full statement below:

President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive for the viral infection today, Sunday, 12 December 2021.

The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today.

The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force.

The President, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week.

On his recent visit to four West African states, 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.

Today’s proceedings in Cape Town were undertaken in compliance with health regulations pertaining to hand hygiene, the wearing of

face masks and social distancing.

President Ramaphosa says his own infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated and remain vigilant against exposure.

Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation.

People who have had contact with the President today are advised to watch for symptoms or to have themselves tested.

Issued by: MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY THE HONOURABLE MONDLI GUNGUBELE, MP

Pretoria

 

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