JUBA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan Ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed 16 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 74.
Richard Lako, director-general for planning, budget and research in the ministry of health, told reporters in Juba that the public health laboratory tested 188 samples in the last 24 hours.
"The public health laboratory on Wednesday released 188 test results, out of which 16 cases tested positive while 35 are to be rerun and 137 test returned negative," Lako said.
He revealed that the confirmed cases are South Sudanese citizens who have been approved to travel to states from Juba, noting that some of them are contacts of the previous 58 confirmed cases.
The official said a full-contact tracing operation is underway and called on all the contacts to cooperate with the country's rapid response teams.
"The public is urged to strictly observe the rules of social distancing and other public health measures declared by the High-Level Taskforce. Report any suspected case to the nearest health facility or call the country's toll-free number 6666," he said.
South Sudan has so far recorded two recoveries and no death from the deadly respiratory disease amid concern over the increasing number of cases this week.
The east African nation has closed all learning institutions, imposed a night curfew and introduced movement and transport restrictions as part of measures to contain the spread of the respiratory disease. Enditem
