South Sudan has become the latest country in Africa to record its first coronavirus case.
51 countries have now confirmed the virus within their borders in Africa.
Riek Machar, the country’s first vice president, told journalists on Sunday in the capital Juba “South Sudan confirms one case of coronavirus.”
Machar said the patient is a 29-year-old woman who arrived in South Sudan from the Netherlands via Ethiopia on February 28.
She tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday after presenting herself at a UN clinic on Thursday.
The patient whose nationality wasn’t disclosed however works with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Vice President Machar said “The Ministry of Health is leading a full investigation with the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention including identifying and following up all the possible contacts and next steps.”
South Sudan has already taken measures such as closing bars, night clubs and shops to prevent an outbreak of the virus.
Even before recording its first case, the country had closed its borders and the country’s international airport closed.
South Sudan has also imposed a curfew across the country which is effective from 8:00 pm to 06:00 am.
With South Sudan now recording its first case, only Lesotho, Comoros, and São Tomé and Príncipe are the only African countries yet to record a single case of coronavirus.
#COVID19 – SURVEILLANCE UPDATE IN AFRICA: 5 APRIL 2020 – 9:00 am EAT. 50 @_AfricanUnion Member States reporting 8, 536 #COVID19 cases, 360 deaths, and 710 recoveries by region.
More information on >>> https://t.co/fvcEaCHn37#FactsNotFear #AfricaPrepares #AfricaResponds #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/fObOtlS5qQ— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) April 5, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
