COVID-19: Another South African minister hospitalized

ANKARA (AA) - South Africa’s minister of employment and labor has been admitted to hospital on Monday night after being infected by COVID-19 pandemic last week, the presidency said on Tuesday.

Thembelani ‘Thulas’ Nxesi, who was in self-quarantine at home, was admitted to the hospital over a medical advice by his doctors, for having access to better medical attention as well as proper monitoring, according to the presidency’s release.

Nxesi is the second South African Cabinet member to be admitted to hospital over the coronavirus pandemic after Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe.

"We wish both Minister Nxesi and Minister Mantashe well and a speedy recovery,” the presidency said.

A total of 373,628 coronavirus cases have so far been reported in South Africa, with the death toll reaching 5,173, according to figures compiled by the US’ John Hopkins University.

The global pandemic has claimed nearly 611,100 lives in 188 countries and regions since it has originated in Wuhan, China last December. The US, Brazil, Russia, and India are currently the worst-hit countries in the world.

More than 14.75 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 8.33 million, shows Johns Hopkins University’s data.