On Sunday night the Presidency announced that President Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for “mild Covid-19 symptoms” after testing positive.
Ramaphosa is in self-isolation
Ramaphosa started feeling unwell once he left former SA president FW de Klerk’s memorial service that was held in Cape Town earlier on Sunday. This is according to the statement issued by minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele.
Ramaphosa (69) is fully vaccinated and is self-isolating in Cape Town at the moment.
“The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force.”
Ramaphosa just returned from a trip to West African countries
President Rampahosa has recently returned to SA after visiting four West African states. However, according to the statement, Rampahosa and the South African delegation was tested for Covid-19 in all four countries.
And upon their return to Johannesburg on the 8th of December, the President once again received a negative Covid-19 result.
“The President and the delegation returned to South Africa from the Republic of Senegal on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, after obtaining negative test results.”
All presidential responsibilities have been delegated to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week.
The Presidency warns anyone who has come into contact with the President
Even though Sunday’s State Memorial was “undertaken in compliance with health regulations pertaining to hand hygiene, the wearing of
face masks and social distancing”, Ramaphosa says that his own infections “serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated and remain vigilant against exposure”.
Minister Gungubele ended the statement by reminding citizens to get vaccinated as it “remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation”.
Media Statement: President Rampahosa tests positive for COVID-19
