South Sudan Government Confirms Second Corona Virus Case In The Country

JUBA: South Sudan has confirmed a second case of the COVID19 pandemic on Tuesday evening.

The High Level Task Force on the Coronavirus says the patient is a 53-year-old woman who came in from Kenya on 23 March 2020.

“Today another person who is related with the first contact tested positive We now have  two cases in South Sudan .The latest is  a 53-year-old woman who works for the United Nations.” Dr. Makur Koryom, undersecretary in the South Sudan Health Ministry told Journalists in Juba.

He says the patient is in isolation and in good health adding that the patient had no contact with the first confirmed case.

Dr. Koryom says government is working hard with partners especially the World Health Organization and the UN to trace all who came in contact with the two patients and urged people to remain calm and follow the health officials’ precautionary and preventive measures to contain the virus.

So far, the High Level Task Force on the Coronavirus or Covid-19 has traced 35 people who came in contact with the first patient all tested negative

Doctor Koryom says the Ministry of Health and WHO have launched an outbreak investigation involving identification of people who came in contacts with the second patient and conduct tests for the coronavirus pandemic.

He added that the High Level Task Force on the Coronavirus is working with UN aid agencies to ensure humanitarian services reaches the needy across the country despite the ban on travels.

“Activities like medical evacuations, food deliveries, and risk mitigation activities have been granted the permission to operate during this restrictive period.” He added.

Doctor Koryom urges the public not to remain calm and follow the health precautionary and preventive measures given by the ministry of health and the WHO to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

“The only way you can avoid COVID-19 infection following instructions given by health care professions, observing rules of social distancing, reporting suspicious cases, and stay at home when you have nothing to do outside, avoid crowds, avoid going to bars, avoid attending restaurants,  stay home, never sit under trees, avoid playing dominos and cards.

Doctor Koryom says home is the safest place for the citizens as it would reduce the spread of the virus and help the country contain the disease quickly.

Health officials advise frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoid handshakes, avoid close contact with anyone, cover their mouth and nose with tissue or cough and sneeze into their flexed elbow, stay at home and avoid travels, especially when they experience the signs and symptoms of Coronavirus which comprises; fever, dry cough, flu, difficulties breathing and tiredness.