Authorities said Monday they had started tracking down people who came into contact with the first confirmed case of COVID-19.

Dr Makur Koryom, the Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Health, told reporters in Juba that some 34 people who came into contact with the first confirmed coronavirus patient have been traced.

“We have taken samples of some of the people. In the coming days, more information will be released with regard to these particular contacts,” he said.

The official further said measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus in the country.

Makur revealed that they are investigating four alerts in the capital Juba. “One case came from Torit, the other one came from Tonj, and the other ones came from Maban. These are normal cases, we get them on a daily basis,” he said.

Makur disclosed that the high-level taskforce on COVID-19 has given permission to one aircraft to evacuate a South Sudanese national to a foreign country for further treatment.

South Sudan’s first confirmed case of coronavirus infection was identified on Sunday as a 29-year-old woman who works for the United Nations.