South Africa’s presidency has announced in a statement late on Sunday, that President Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for COVID-19.
The president started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former deputy president FW de Klerk in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon. Ramaphosa is in self-isolation in Cape Town where he is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms.
“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 statement said.
Ramaphosa has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week. He is fully vaccinated.
Ramaphosa and the delegation returned to South Africa from the Republic of Senegal on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, after obtaining negative test results.
He did not test positive on his return to Johannesburg on 8 December 8,2021. The Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele added that Ramaphosa’s infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated and remain vigilant against exposure.
The memorial proceedings in Cape Town were undertaken in compliance with health regulations including the wearing of face masks, hand sanitisation and social distancing.
