The pandemic is running rampant in South Africa, with 364 328 confirmed COVID-19 cases. As the virus spreads, people from all walks of life are testing positive for the coronavirus.
The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thembelani Thulas Nxesi, has tested positive for COVID-19. This follows him receiving his results on July 17. This is the Minister’s fourth round of tests since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Minister Nxesi is currently in self-isolation and will work from home. Since the confirmation of his test results, all the members of his office who came into contact with him, will also be undergoing testing.
Despite testing positive for COVID-19, the Minister remains in high spirits and is confident he will beat the virus.
Currently, Nxesi is the fifth member of the Executive to contract the coronavirus. This follows Minister Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister Mantashe, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zule and Deputy Minister Nkosi Holomisa.
Both Minister Mapisa-Nqakula and Deputy Minister Holomisa have since recovered. The Presidency extends its well wishes to all those who are currently battling the virus.
With the numbers of COVID-19 increasing, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize says the government is mobilising ever resource and faculty at their disposal.
“But government cannot manage this unilaterally. Every single South African now needs to focus on adhering to recommendations pertaining to non-pharmaceutical interventions,” he said.
Dr Mkhize says the government is extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in, and South Africans are letting their guard down. This is at a time when the spread of infection is surging.
“We see poor or no social distancing in communities. Masks are being abandoned or not worn properly and there is laxity setting in around frequent handwashing.”
He adds this will directly influence the rise in numbers in the next two weeks.
“We must all appreciate that there is a direct causal link between the surge of cases and our ability, or inability, to ad- here to these very basic principles.”
Dr Mkhize reminds South Africans that there is currently no vaccine or cure for the coronavirus.
“Our ability to break the cycle of infection depends on our willingness to remain focused and disciplined and take non-pharmaceutical interventions seriously. We can beat this pandemic together. We have already proved this during the lockdown.”
Therefore, he says it remains in each citizen’s hands to admonish family members, colleagues, friends, who refuse to adhere to measures that protect lives by limiting the spread of this virus.
Be sure to play your role in helping curb the spread of the COVID-19.
