Coronavirus: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tests positive for COVID-19

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for COVID-19.

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In a statement Sunday, Ramaphosa’s office said the 69-year-old, who took office in 2018, “is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms” after he tested positive earlier that day.

“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,” the statement read.

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It was not immediately clear whether Ramaphosa tested positive for the omicron variant, which is driving a resurgence of coronavirus cases in the country, according to The Associated Press. On Sunday, South Africa reported more than 18,000 new coronavirus cases; an estimated 70% are omicron, the news agency said.

Ramaphosa took to social media Monday to urge residents to get vaccinated.

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“Thank you, fellow South Africans, for your good wishes following my COVID-19 positive result,” he tweeted. “As I recover, my message of the week is: Don’t let your guard down. Do everything you can and need to, to stay safe, beginning with vaccination.”

In a second tweet, Ramaphosa added: “Vaccines dramatically reduce the chances of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Let’s all protect ourselves. Vaccination is free, easy and it works.”

According to Oxford University’s Our World in Data project, about 31% of South Africans have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while nearly 26% of residents are fully vaccinated.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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