STAFF REPORTER
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC in Parliament have sent well wishes to Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and his wife, Dr May Mkhize, a safe and speedy recovery from their COVID-19 infection.
Mkhize announced at the weekend that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus.
“The President wishes the Mkhizes a safe and restful recovery and joins the Minister in calling on all South Africans to remain careful and do all we need to do to keep safe and help the country avoid a second wave of the pandemic,” said Ramaphosa.
The ANC caucus spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota also wished Mkhize and his wife a speedy recovery.
“On behalf of the ANC caucus in Parliament, which is in the middle of its caucus lekgotla, I wish our quintessential Number 1, the health worker Khabazela and his spouse Dr May Mkhize a speedy recovery. Please recharge your batteries Khabazela family and we know you will triumph,” said Kota.
“We further affirm that as a country under Dr Mkhize’s visionary leadership we have indeed made significant strides in the fight against this pandemic. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mkhize family during this difficult time as we wish them well.”
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Mkhize said he was started feeling abnormally exhausted on Saturday and as the day progressed, he started losing appetite.
“My wife had a cough, was dizzy and extremely exhausted. Given her symptoms, the doctors advised that she must be admitted for observation and rehydration,” said Mkhize.
“I wish to inform the public that this afternoon my wife, Dr May Mkhize and I have tested positive for COVID-19. We decided to go test yesterday when I started showing mild symptoms. I am now in quarantine at home and both my wife and I remain optimistic that we will fully recover from this virus. I wish to take this opportunity to urge all South Africans to continue adhering to health protocols.”
Mkhize also warned South Africa to continue to wear masks, sanitize and observe social distancing protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and household transmissions.
“Let us not dare regress. Whatever we do and wherever we go, we have to keep in mind that there remains a risk of a second wave. This virus only spreads through movement and contact of people. Therefore we must all play our part. We must protect ourselves and those we love,” he said.
As of Sunday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 stood at 703 793, while the total number of deaths is 18 471 and the total number of recoveries is 634 543.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE POLITICS STAFF)
