Prominent trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi has won his battle against COVID-19, as the global pandemic continues to claim lives in the country.
Vavi, the general secretary of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), announced today that he has tested negative for coronavirus, after contracting the disease on April 2.
His seven-year-old kid had also tested positive and is now negative.
The former Cosatu boss was earlier this month admitted to hospital for lung cancer.
The doctors had said his child would recover without hospitalization.
“I am a living testimony that the virus corona can be defeated if we act according to regulations that have been published by the government, supported by the scientists here and abroad. As you know I tested positive on the 2 April, I have been battling against the virus for almost a month now,” he said.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) I tested negative together with my wife. We now live in a family where no one has a coronavirus. I want to thank everybody that have sent messages of support to me and my family,” he added.
Vavi’s recovery came as the country recorded the highest increase of COVID-19 infections in a single day yesterday, with an increase of 354 cases. The total number of infections stands at 5350, with 103 deaths related to the virus.
“Irrespective of your social status, you can be infected; irrespective of your wealth, your poverty, your race, your religion, your creed- everything doesn’t matter, you will be infected if you do not observe the rules,” said Vavi.
