JUBA, MAY 22, 2020 (CISA)-President Salva Kiir has dissolved and reconstituted the country’s High-level Task Force on Covid-19 after members tested positive for the corona virus.
Vice President, Riek Machar, who headed the first Task Force, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Information and most of the 15 members of the former Task Force have tested positive for the virus and are currently in isolation.
“Yes, I am positive. I am informed that all the members of the former committee are positive,” the country’s spokesperson, Michael Makuei confirmed.
Although South Sudan was the last country in the EastAfrican Community to report a case of Covid-19 on April 5, the country has experienced a rapid increase in coronavirus positive cases.
As at Wednesday, May 20 the country had reported 481 cases and four deaths.
The rapid increase in cases in the country is likely to invite strict measures from the government to combat the spread of the virus.
Although Archbishop Stephen Ameyu of Juba prefers that the country goes for a total lockdown to minimize infections, he insists that the government should consider giving food to its citizens before imposing tougher measures.
He is concerned that a total lockdown without relief assistance would affect many vulnerable families across the country.
