South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa Goes Into Self-Isolation After Covid-19 Contact

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has gone into quarantine after one of the guests at a charity dinner he attended tested positive for COVID-19, his office said on Wednesday, reported Anadolu Agency.

On Saturday, Mr. Ramaphosa had attended a fundraising event for the Adopt-a-School Foundation, a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. The foundation was set up in 2002 to improve schooling for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has begun a period of self-quarantine following the positive COVID-19 diagnosis of a guest at a dinner attended by the President on Saturday, 24 October 2020,” the statement from the president’s office said.

As per the statement, there were 35 guests at the charity dinner in total and all adhered to strict physical distancing protocols. One of the guests had shown symptoms on Sunday and was tested on Monday before receiving a positive result on Tuesday.

“The President is showing no symptoms at this time and will, in line with COVID-19 health advice, be tested should symptoms manifest,” it said.

South Africa has been the continent’s worst hit by coronavirus, with over 700,000 coronavirus infections and nearly 20,000 deaths, but the number of new cases peaked in late July before falling sharply.

The reduction in new infections led the government to ease one of the world’s toughest lockdowns in September. The government also opened its borders to international travelers after a long six-month ban.

Last week Health Minister Zweli Mkhize had said that though coronavirus cases had declined in South Africa, there is still a risk of a second wave of infections that may lead to a review of lockdown restrictions.

But President Ramaphosa confirmed on Tuesday that said a strict lockdown was not on the cards. He said that he would make an announcement on regulations if and when needed.