China on Saturday announced to donate $100,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the purchase of protective kits and medical equipment as part of COVID-19 response in South Sudan.

Hua Ning, Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, said in a press statement in Juba that the prevention of imported infections has become a big challenge for South Sudan.

"We are hereby pleased to announce that the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan will donate 100,000 dollars to the WHO Country Office in Juba. The donation would be used to procure protective kits including medical equipment which are urgently needed for the country," Hua said.

Hua further said COVID-19 is a global pandemic, pointing out that the embassy will work closely with South Sudan, WHO and international partners to contain the virus in a spirit of solidarity.

“To support South Sudan's preparedness on COVID-19 at this critical moment, some other medical supplies donated by the Chinese government and Chinese companies will be delivered to South Sudan soon,” Hua said.

South Sudan which has not yet registered any case of coronavirus is stepping up its efforts to prevent the new coronavirus pandemic.

Key symptoms of coronavirus include dry cough, shortness of breath and fever.

A person can also get infected with coronavirus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or their eyes.

People are being advised by health officials to observe high standards of hygiene and limit unnecessary human contact.

More than 16,700 people globally have died from COVID-19, as the illness is officially known, while more than 387,000 infections have been confirmed in at least 177 countries and territories.