A 15-member committee has been formed to conduct awareness, surveillance and emergency response on coronavirus in Yei River County, a health official said.

James Wani, a director at the health ministry in the defunct Yei River State, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the committee has been tasked to conduct awareness in the area.

 “We have formed a coronavirus taskforce and our team is prepared to conduct awareness. We have been meeting on Ebola, but shifted to coronavirus to update ourselves,” said Wani.

The senior health official appealed to the general public to continue observing set preventive measures against the pandemic.

“Wash your hands with soap and clean water, cover your mouth while coughing and avoid crowded places. Also avoid staying with sick people coming from other countries. They need to isolate themselves for 14 days and in case of any symptoms, contact the health officials on 6666 for intervention,” he stressed.

Aloro Moses, a resident of Yei town, raised concerns over the lack of massive awareness by the health officials.

“The government should be serious on social gatherings especially after directives from the ministry of health. Also, although pupils are home, some people still worship in churches and mosques. If we don’t take precautions, we are likely to spread the virus,” said Aloro.

South Sudan which has not yet registered any case of coronavirus is stepping up its efforts to prevent the new COVID-19 pandemic.