S. Africa: Presidency staffer tests COVID-19 positive

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - The office of the South African president confirmed Wednesday a staff member tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

"Public and staff access to the Union Buildings [seat of the government] is currently limited following the confirmation that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19," the presidency said in a statement.

The presidency further said it has taken steps to secure treatment of the infected staff member and provide support to the member's family.

"Steps have also been taken to ensure that officials who have had contact with the staff member are screened," it said.

The statement further confirmed that neither the president nor his deputy have been working from their offices at the Union buildings since the start of the lockdown in late March.

South Africa has one of the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the continent, now standing at 7,572, with 148 deaths recorded so far.