Ten cabinet ministers in South Sudan are now confirmed to have contracted Coronavirus.
Information Minister Michael Makuei has said that all former members of the high-level task force on Coronavirus – apart from the health minister – have tested positive for Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus.
But he has denied reports that President Salva Kiir – who was also a member of the team – had also tested positive.
It comes just days after first Vice-President Riek Machar announced he had tested positive alongside his wife, Defence Minister Angelina Teny.
They tested positive after coming into contact with a former member of the team, who has Covid-19.
All the ministers infected are now in self-isolation and the government says they are in good health.
Dozens of bodyguards and staff of the officials also tested positive and are quarantined.
South Sudan has seen a sharp rise in Coronavirus cases in recent days with 481 confirmed cases and six deaths.
There are fears the virus could cause havoc in South Sudan, whose healthcare system is barely functioning following decades of conflict, while hundreds of thousands are living in camps for displaced people.
BBC
Related
Newer articles:
- (Special for CAFS) South Sudan confirms 92 new cases of COVID-19 - 24/05/2020 06:30
- Statement from IGAD special envoy for South Sudan - 24/05/2020 04:59
- South Sudan: Deaths continue to rise as COVID-19 cases hit 655 - 23/05/2020 14:51
- Policy Brief: The COVID-19 Pandemic Vulnerability Factors in South Sudan - 23/05/2020 00:30
- UN Volunteers fight against COVID-19 in South Sudan - 22/05/2020 20:53
Older news items
- UN demands swift justice over ‘appalling’ South Sudan violence - 22/05/2020 02:00
- Egypt sends 2nd plane with coronavirus aid to South Sudan - 22/05/2020 02:00
- Humanity Inclusion South Sudan Program, Tips on including persons with disabilities in your COVID-19 GBV response - 22/05/2020 01:55
- Lifting the arms embargo on South Sudan would be a disgrace - 22/05/2020 01:06
- Save the Children condemns the killing of humanitarian workers and children during intercommunal violence in South Sudan - 21/05/2020 12:03
Latest news items (all categories):
- Research ● Olga Algayerova: Small-State Diplomacy in an Era of Geopolitical Fragmentation - 28/10/2026 17:44
- The long journey back to the wild: The return of Przewalski’s horses - 28/10/2026 17:38
- South Sudan to begin voter registration in November ahead of December elections - 28/10/2026 17:12
- South Sudanese Liberation Hero Joseph Lagu Dies at 94 as President Kiir Declares National Mourning - 28/10/2026 17:03
- National average price spreads for maize: Across select East African countries - 28/10/2026 16:56
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudanese child soldier making documentary about experience - 06/09/2015 05:05
- South Sudan president removes Pibor commissioner - 14/08/2014 12:00
- South Sudan youth, women stage peace concert - 11/09/2017 10:10
- China-South Sudan Oil Deal Raises Red Flags - 08/04/2019 15:06
- Vacancy Announcement - Operations Officer UNOPS South Sudan - 13/05/2018 05:49
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 151390 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28447 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25548 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24751 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22726 times
