COVID-19: South Sudan records 72 new cases

South Sudan’s National Ministry of Health reported 72 more coronavirus cases on Thursday bringing the national tally to 1,670. 

Dr Richard Laku, the COVID-19 Incident Manager, said in a statement that the new cases were confirmed positive by the public health laboratory in the last 24 hours.

He added that two people died due to coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities over the virus to 24.

The health official said 48 people have recovered so far and discharged from hospitals. He further said a patient who is severely ill is being treated at the Dr. Garang Infectious Diseases Unit.

South Sudan announced its first case of the new coronavirus on April 5.

A WHO representative told Radio Tamazuj last month South Sudan’s health care system is poorly prepared for coronavirus.

“South Sudan’s health sector lacks medical personnel, modern healthcare equipment and many citizens still find it difficult to access the existing health facilities in many parts of the country,” said Dr. Emmanuel Timothy, the head of the WHO in Upper Nile State.