“In line with government’s guidelines on the management of Covid-19 cases, steps have been taken to secure treatment of the relevant staff member and to provide support to the member’s family. Steps have also been taken to ensure that officials who had contact with the staff member are screened,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday. 

“The Presidency’s pandemic task team, established to assist in managing all Covid-19 related matters, proactively initiated a process of disinfection and deep cleaning of all the Presidency facilities. This process commenced on Tuesday.” 

The Presidency said access to the Union Buildings is now limited to exceptional interactions only. 

“The president and deputy president have been working remotely and not from the Union Buildings since the start of lockdown. The Presidency wishes the affected colleague a speedy recovery.” 

On Tuesday, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa had reached 7,572.

South Africa has also used mass screening and testing to help curb the spread of the virus. With 10,523 new tests completed in the past 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted to date stands at 268,064. 

The Western Cape had still recorded the highest number of confirmed cases with 3,609 followed by Gauteng with 1,697, KwaZulu-Natal with 1,142, Eastern Cape with 838 and Free State at 128. 

All other provinces have remained below 100, with Mpumalanga recording 57 confirmed cases, Limpopo 40, North West 35 and Northern Cape, 26.

“Regrettably, we report 10 more Covid-19 related deaths – seven from Western Cape, one from Eastern Cape, one from KwaZulu-Natal and one from Gauteng. This brings the total deaths nationally to 148," the minister said. 

"We wish to express our condolences to the families of the deceased and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients." 

African News Agency (ANA)