Officials in Botswana on Monday announced President Mokgweetsi Masisi is isolating at his official residence after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Botswana government spokesperson John Dipowe said Masisi received the result after routine testing.
“Members of the public are assured that his excellency the president does not have any symptoms and will continue to receive close medical monitoring by his medical doctors,” Dipowe said. “The self-isolation is a precautionary measure in accordance with Botswana’s COVID-19 health protocols.”
This is the first time Masisi has tested positive, although he has gone into self-isolation as a precaution on several occasions.
In Masisi’s absence, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane will act as president.
Botswana, which along with South Africa was the first country to report detecting the new omicron variant of the coronavirus in November, has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
Officials, however, say hospitalizations and deaths have remained low.
More Stories
Burkina Faso Army Announces Overthrow of Military Government
Africa Must Ramp Up Food Production
World Bids Final Farewell To Queen Elizabeth
Biden’s Taiwan Remarks ‘Severely Violate’ US Policy Over Island Says China
COVID-19 6th Wave Delay Indicates Possible End of Pandemic Says Experts
Africa Has An Untapped Export Potential Of $31 Billion
End Of The COVID-19 Pandemic ‘Is In Sight’ – WHO
Boeing Forecasts Demand for 1,010 New Airplanes In Africa
Ukraine Says It Pushed Back Russian Forces And Reclaimed Some Territory
Mixed Feelings Among Some In Africa For Queen Elizabeth
King Charles Vows To Serve His Nation As Britain Mourns Late Queen
After A Lifetime Of Preparation, Charles Takes The Throne