South African Minister of Health and Spouse Test Positive for COVID-19... Intensifying Second Wave Spread

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Zweli Mkhize, South Africa's (hereafter South Africa) Minister of Health, and his wife have tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Although Africa's COVID-19 was considered to have passed its peak in August, the recent second wave has been raging fiercely, raising concerns about a sharp increase in deaths.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 19th (local time), Minister Mkhize announced that he and his wife, Dr. May Mkhize, tested positive for COVID-19 the day before. Minister Mkhize stated, "I am currently isolating at home and am optimistic that both my wife and I will fully recover from this virus."

Minister Mkhize had shown COVID-19 symptoms such as severe fatigue and loss of appetite since the 17th and underwent testing together with his wife, who was also coughing and feeling dizzy. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement that day wishing the Mkhize couple a speedy recovery and urged the public to remain vigilant in following health guidelines.

As of the 18th, South Africa's cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 703,793, with a total of 18,471 deaths. Earlier, in August, South Africa and the African continent were declared by the South African health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to have passed the peak of COVID-19, but the recent rapid progression of the second wave has caused a sharp increase in confirmed cases and deaths. Since the national disaster was declared in March this year, South Africa has been under lockdown for over 200 days, deepening public fatigue.

With the prolonged lockdown causing a sharp rise in unemployment and worsening economic difficulties, South African citizens are showing fatigue toward wearing masks and other preventive measures, leading to a decline in vigilance. Consequently, concerns are growing that the country may face a second wave.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.