South African president Cyril Ramaphosa
(Picture: AP)The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for Covid-19 amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
It is not known whether the President, 69, has been infected with the latest variant. In South Africa, more than 70 per cent of the cases are estimated to be from Omicron.
Mr Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, said his falling ill is a warning to everyone in the country to get jabbed and remain vigilant against exposure.
He is receiving treatment for mild symptoms and self-isolating in Cape Town. His responsibilities have been delegated to deputy president David Mabuza for the next week.
Last week, Mr Ramaphosa visited four West African countries. He and all members of his delegation were tested for Covid-19 in each of the countries during the trip.
Throughout the rest of the trip, Mr Ramaphosa and his delegation tested negative. Mr Ramaphosa returned from Senegal on December 8.
South Africa is battling a rapid resurgence of Covid-19 driven by the Omicron variant.
The country recorded more than 18,000 new confirmed cases on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, France’s interior minister Gérald Darmanin said 400 investigations have been opened into networks providing fake vaccine passports.
He told RTL radio the authorities were looking into the peddling of such passes, including some “connected to health professionals”.
