By Malvika Gurung
Investing.com -- The president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa is reported to have contracted Covid-19, as per the Presidency office on Sunday, and is showing mild symptoms of the infection.
The President is known to have contracted the infection after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town on Sunday.
It is currently unclear whether Ramaphosa has been infected with the Omicron variant of the virus. However, the 69-year-old President has self-isolated himself in Cape Town and is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service.
Ramaphosa has advised everyone to maintain caution towards the virus, as he contracted the infection despite being fully vaccinated and following social distancing norms, and health regulations in the memorial service.
Covid-19 cases have surged dramatically in South Africa, from 200 new cases a day in early November to about 17,154 new cases on Dec 12. The cases further advanced 120.7% to a total of 37,875 new infections overnight on Dec 13, with over 70% cases estimated to be from Omicron, as per reports from the country’s genetic sequencing surveys.