President Cyril Ramaphosa has focused his weekly letter to the nation on the need to protect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
He has urged South Africans not to expose elderly family members to the pandemic through social visits. Ramaphosa has warned that those with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease need to be extra cautious, stay home if possible and continue taking their medication.
Difficult though it may be, we should not expose our elderly mothers and fathers to the virus through social visits. Let us keep in touch with them by phone or video messaging. https://t.co/hnIb3Wccgs #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/hIe8AJbhAu
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 6, 2020
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that due to their inability to meet friends and family, attend church and society meetings many senior citizens are potentially feeling lonely.
He, however, says phoning or video messaging elderly family members could save their lives. With a third of patients admitted to hospital with the disease having at least one co-morbidity, Ramaphosa says those with underlying conditions can now test for the disease even if they are asymptomatic, urging those on chronic medication to must continue to take their treatment and observe all recommended hygiene measures.
Below is the President’s letter:
