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South African President Self-Quarantining after Possible COVID Exposure


FILE - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visits the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment facilities at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, April 24, 2020.
FILE - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visits the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment facilities at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, April 24, 2020.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is self-quarantining at home after coming into contact with a dinner guest who tested positive for COVID-19.

A spokesperson for Ramaphosa said he learned Tuesday that he had come in contact with the infected person while attending a fundraiser dinner with 35 other people for South African schools in Johannesburg last weekend.

Ramaphosa's spokesperson said in a statement that he is not showing any symptoms and continues to work.

The statement also said Ramaphosa wished the guest, who is getting medical attention, a speedy recovery.

The president’s self-quarantining comes as South Africa’s coronavirus cases have risen in recent weeks.

So far, South Africa has confirmed more than 719,000 COVID-19 cases and 19,111 deaths.

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