President Ramaphosa Cyril of South Africa's,
69-year-old has being reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday
after paying last respects to the former Deputy President, FW de Klerk in Cape
Town at his memorial. The President is though said to be in totality of vaccination
and self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to
Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week.
In the past few days, a nationwide outbreak
believed to be linked to the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus which was
first registered in South Africa. Though with little knowledge and incessant
research on the new variant, South African scientists see no sign that the variant
causes more severe illness nor detected the signs and symptoms of the new variant.
As a result of testing positive, Mr.
Ramaphosa has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza
for the next week and is in self-isolation. In a shocking and rather surprising
speech by the President, it was reported that, “President Ramaphosa says his
own infection serves as a caution to all people in the country to be vaccinated
and remain vigilant against exposure”.
He was further reported to have said that the
proceedings in Cape Town were undertaken in compliance with health regulations
pertaining to hand hygiene, the wearing of face masks and social distancing.
The presidency after the incidence has urged
people who had contact with the president Sunday to watch for symptoms or to
have themselves tested beforehand.
Recall that President Ramaphosa in the past
week was on a visit to four West African countries including Nigeria where he
met with President Buhari. However, the South African leader’s office suggested
there was no need for the people President Ramaphosa met with during that trip
to be worried.