SOUTH SUDAN: Country Confirms Covid-19 Case
Catholic Radio Network (CRN)
South Sudan’s High-Level Taskforce on Covid-19 has confirmed to the public the first positive case of Covid-19 in the country.
The Deputy Chair of the Taskforce Dr Riek Machar Teny announced that the patient is a female, 29-year-old, who arrived in Juba on February 28th from the Kingdom of Netherlands via Addis Ababa.
“The Ministry of Health’s Rapid Response Team went to the clinic to collect samples the same day, and the initial test came out positive; the second confirmatory test also came out positive”, Dr Machar says.
He added that the Ministry of Health, World Health organization (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control are leading the outbreak investigation and following up on all possible contacts.
The official also noted that maintaining physical distancing can minimize the risk of contracting and transmitting the virus.
On this note, the Head of UN Mission in South Sudan David Shearer said since the patient has been in the country for more than 14-days, there is need to trace the people she had contact with.
Covid-19 affects the respiratory system of human beings and causes fever, cough and difficulty in breathing and the virus is not yet curable. The virus has killed thousands of lives globally in order to slow transmission frequently wash hand with soap and water and maintain social distance.
Now South Sudan joins the African countries that have declared cases of COVID-19, the Administrator of defunct Yei State Mr Amule Felix Sosten is encouraging citizens to observe the precautionary measures this Easter season.
He said Easter and other liturgical celebrations are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic where the usual church gatherings have been affected.
Mr Amule Felix urged the population to remain calm and pray from their homes as people all over the world are battling this dangerous virus.
He called on Christians to be prayerful, and to abide by the norms of curbing COVID-19.
“As you celebrate Easter, make sure to observe social distance, avoid handshake or touching your nose, eyes and mouth with dirty hands”, he explained.
The official appealed to citizens to report any suspected case of corona virus and illegal entry to the county to the health ministry.
Also, the Secretary-General of Western Equatoria Wilson Thomas Yanga has called on the government to provide the necessary devices so that people can volunteer to test for Covid-19.
He told the CRN in a telephone interview that the testing device can allow people to go and test their blood so that they know their status.
The Western Equatoria is one of the States bordering many neighbouring countries. However, all borders are closed and according to Mr. Yanga, anyone trying to escape through the border will be arrested.
He further disclosed the formation of a taskforce at State level to ensure that all cases of Coronavirus are followed.
The Secretary-General of Western Equatoria said the State is trying its best to ensure that people are served and that they follow the curfew given by High-level Taskforce Committee on COVID 19.
He made the remarks on Thursday evening in a telephone interview with CRN in Yambio.
