South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a statement posted on Twitter by the Minister of the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, “the president began to feel bad after leaving the state memorial service in honor of former Vice President FW de Klerk in Cape Town today.”
He said the president is in good spirits, receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms and is being monitored by the South African National Defense Force’s Military Health Service.
As a result of the positive test, Ramaphosa has delegated all responsibilities to Vice President David Mabuza for the next week and is in self-isolation.
Noting that the president is fully vaccinated, Gungubele stressed that vaccination remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization.
“President Ramaphosa says that his own infection serves as a warning for everyone in the country to get vaccinated and to be vigilant against exposure,” he said.
In addition, it noted that the procedures in Cape Town were carried out in accordance with health regulations regarding hand hygiene, the use of face masks and social distancing.
Gungubele urged people who had contact with the president on Sunday to watch for symptoms or get tested.
Ramaphosa was last week on a visit to four West African countries, including Nigeria, where he met with President Buhari. However, the South African leader’s office suggested that there was no need for the people Ramaphosa met during that trip to be concerned.
According to Mr. Gungubele, “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, December 8, 2021, after obtaining negative test results. The president also tested negative upon his return to Johannesburg on December 8. “