South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for COVID-19. He is being treated for mild symptoms.
Ramaphosa returned last Wednesday from a trip to the West African countries of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal.
While in Nigeria, he met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The presidency said he and his delegation were tested for Covid in all the countries they visited. It said the president had tested negative on his return.
Ramaphosa started feeling unwell on Sunday after leaving the state memorial service of South Africa’s last apartheid President FW De Klerk in Cape Town, according to a statement from the presidency.
People who had contact with the president on the day have been advised to watch for symptoms or to get tested.
The president is fully vaccinated and has delegated all his responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza.
The highly contagious Omicron variant, which has prompted global concern, was first identified in South Africa last month.
The South African Presidency said: “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.”
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