EASTERN Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation at home where he will continue with his official duties, his spokesperson Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha.
Mabuyane had flu-like symptoms when he tested.
Mabuyane, according to the premier’s office in a statement, is now urging people who have been in contact with him over the past week, and have flu-symptoms, to get tested.
“Premier Mabuyane is isolating at home where he will continue with his official duties, using technology for meetings and for communicating with his office, members of the executive council, leadership of local, national government and other stakeholders,” said Sicwetsha.
Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern at the apparent resurgence of COVID-19 in the Eastern Cape.
Ramaphosa is warning South Africans to remain vigilant to avoid a second-wave of infections.
During is address, Ramaphosa said the Eastern Cape, in particular, has shown worrying signs of resurgence in the past few weeks.
He said the Eastern Cape should be a wake-up call to all South Africans, “that we cannot relax and we cannot be complacent”.
“In the last week, the number of new cases in the province was 50% higher than the week before and the total number of new cases in the last 14 days was around 145% higher than the previous 14 days,” said Ramaphosa.
The president said these increases were being driven by massive spikes in the Nelson Mandela Metro and the Sarah Baartman District in particular.
“The evidence suggests that the increases in the Eastern Cape could have been triggered by outbreaks in institutions of higher learning such as universities, schools and attendance by people at large gatherings,” said Ramaphosa, adding that combined with poor adherence to social distancing, mask wearing and other poor hygiene measures, the environment for rising infections is set.
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor and United Democratic Movement’s strongman, Mongameli Bobani died on Wednesday after being admitted to hospital three weeks ago with COVID-19 complications.
(SOURCE: INSIDE POLITICS)
