Authorities in Jonglei State have temporarily freed more than 80 inmates in the town of Bor as coronavirus fears grow in the state.
South Sudan has so far recorded 35 cases of the novel coronavirus.
Major-General Alfred Manyang Agok, the state prison service director, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that 84 inmates had been temporarily released in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus disease in the crowded jail.
“Now, there are 470 inmates. They are in good condition but the prison is full. So,we have informed the Interior ministry and more prisoners will be released when we are given the go-ahead,” Manyang said.
The official pointed out the inmates released were those with minor cases.
The novel coronavirus 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.