The president said the infection should alert people to follow public health measures and get vaccinated.
Written byTimes Magazine
His office said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was being treated after testing positive for Covid-19. The 69-year-old man had mild symptoms and was isolated in Cape Town. Although the Omicron is more portable than previous types, including the Delta, the risk of severe illness and death is lower.
He was the last head of state to be infected with the coronavirus - others being Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, Donald Trump as President of the United States, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, Emmanuel Macron of France, Czech President Milos Zeman, and former Bolivian President Janine Annes.
The South African presidency said Ramaphosa tested positive on Sunday and had delegated all responsibility to Vice President David Mabuza "for next week."
The statement said the president felt uncomfortable after attending the funeral of former President FW de Klerk Sunday morning.
He added that Ramaphosa was "in a good mood" - but is under medical supervision. However, people who have recently been in close contact with him are asked to watch for symptoms or undergo tests.
Mr. Ramaphosa has just returned from a seven day tour of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal. Several members of his delegation tested positive in Nigeria and immediately returned to South Africa, Nomsa Maseko told the BBC in Johannesburg. The president said the infection should alert people to follow public health measures and get vaccinated.
Despite numerous public calls from the authorities, less than 30% of South Africans are fully vaccinated, as the country's health authorities call a massive "vaccination doubt."
The UN health agency later classified Omicron as a "concern" and warned that a vaccine might be less effective against it. Several countries worldwide have imposed travel bans on South Africa and neighboring countries - but the spread of new options has not stopped this.
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