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South African minister recovers from COVID-19

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Blood test samples. /VCG

South Africa’s 63-year-old Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her 77-year-old husband Charles Nqakula have recovered from COVID-19, the presidency announced on Friday.

The two recently tested positive and will remain in mandatory self-isolation for 14 days.

“We are glad that all their symptoms have cleared and we are looking forward to them finishing their 14 days of mandatory self-quarantine period,” the presidency said in a statement.

South Africa is Africa’s worst-hit country by COVID-19 in Africa, having reported the most infections and fatalities.

The country’s tally of 324,221 cases is the sixth highest worldwide, while the 4,669 deaths represent 32.4 of Africa’s total fatalities.

Other than South Africa, only Egypt – with 4,120 – has reported deaths exceeding the 4,000 mark.

Other than the two countries, Algeria is the only other African country that has reported more than 1,000 COVID-19-related deaths.

The South African presidency urged citizens to continue adhering to the set health guidelines to curb further spread of the disease.

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