HEALTH Minister Joe Phaahla has tested positive for COVID-19, the national health department confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
Phaahla is said to be currently self-isolating at home and is expected to get back to work within the next seven days.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the minister took the COVID test after experiencing minor symptoms and the results came back positive.
“Minister Phaahla took tests earlier today and the results came back positive, and he immediately self-isolated.”
“He will perform his official duties from home for a period of seven days, and all his planned contact meetings have been rescheduled, while others converted into virtual,” said Mohale.
“This is a reminder that the pandemic still remains amongst us and infectious, hence the Department continues to report Covid-19 daily positive cases and deaths.”
Mohale also confirmed that Phaahla has received two doses of J&J vaccine.
“The department would like to remind the public that lifting the Covid-19 restrictions doesn’t mean the pandemic is over, hence vaccination serves remain accessible at all times at selected sites.”
The department is reminding the public that the pandemic is still active and vaccination sites are still open.
The department of health reported that there were four deaths, and zero occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours. There had been an increase of three hospital admissions in the past 24 hours.
STAFF REPORTER
