The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) top leader Reverend [Rev.] Kenneth Meshoe was diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus plague.
Steven Swart, an ACDP Member of Parliament (MP), also did not escape the fatal scare. He tested positive.
Rev. Meshoe and Swart, both MPs, were among those who attended a religious gathering in Bloemfontein where in the aftermath five international guests tested positive.
The international guests are understood to be from the United States of America, Israel and France, the Daily Maverick reported Thursday Mar. 26. It also wrote about the early March congregation that:
‘There had been about 480 people at evening worship and of those, 255 had attended breakfast, and a group of 160 leaders had congregated for a dinner prayer session.’
The cases emerging from the Free State Province are linked to this mass convocation in Bloemfontein.
Rev. Kenneth Meshoe having been part of the MPs meeting after coming into contact with those infected guests, questions were raised about the possible contagion.
ACDP’s contacts
On Mar. 17, Rev. Meshoe met prominent political heavyweights in South Africa (SA) after the religious gathering in Bloemfontein.
One among those was the President of the country Cyril Ramaphosa. However, the Presidency commended Rev. Meshoe for subjecting himself to be tested by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Acting from medical advise, The Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu reiterated Friday that the President will not undergo another test because he has already done so.
Covid-19 symptoms
Sounding flustered in an interview with Newzroom Africa the ACDP leader said:
It is confusing to be told that one must have symptoms as indicative of coronavirus. I am strong and don’t exhibit any symptoms.
Towards the end of the interview, he was a bit optimistic saying that:
This is not a death sentence. We have survived worse forms of influenza before. Even this challenge will be overcomed.
He also indicated that although Swart is displaying mild symptoms, he is recovering well in isolation.
Rev. Meshoe revealed on Sunday Mar. 22 that he would undergo Covid-19 examination and today the results came out positive.
Of the two deaths linked to Covid-19 as reported on Friday, Mar. 27, Mthembu said one of them is suspected. Meaning that, the other [only one] death is related to the coronavirus pandemic.
By the same token, the number of total cases in SA rose from 927 to 1 170, Mthembu confirmed.
Covid-19 plague attacks royalty
Today, UK Prime Minister (MP) Boris Johnson revealed through a video messaging that he has the coronavirus infliction after testing positive.
His colleague Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, also tested positive for Covid-19 illness.
On Wednesday, the deadliest virus on earth attacked the English royal family. Prince Charles of Wales is under self-quarantine after contracting the awful disease.
The Guardian reported that:
‘Prince Charles tested positive for coronavirus, displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health”. He and the Duchess of Cornwall, who tested negative, are self-isolating on the Balmoral Estate.’
The 55-year-old Johnson assured the English public that he will continue his job while in self-isolation. According to the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), his wife is five months pregnant.