Seven people, who are part of those quarantined after traveling with one person who tested positive for coronavirus, have escaped in Tonj South County of Warrap State.

John Akot, the director general for health in the defunct Tonj State, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the seven people escaped from Tonj Civil Hospital last week due to lack of proper isolation facilities.

“We are still tracing where they went, but their places are not yet established. We are advising their families and people in communities to distance themselves from these people for 14 days.  We are not saying these people are sick but there are possibilities because they used one vehicle with the sick person,” he explained.

The health official urged citizens to remain vigilant as authorities intensify their efforts to trace those who escaped from quarantine.

He further appealed to the community to report anyone they suspect could have escaped to the police or health authorities.

Akot expressed concern that the recent decision by the president to relax lockdown measures could worsen the spread of COVID-19.

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in South Sudan now stands at 347.

The virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets land in the mouths and noses of another person.

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.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.