South Sudan’s coronavirus tally has risen to 1,942 after the Public Health Laboratory confirmed 12 new cases on Wednesday.

The National Ministry of Health has also reported that the number of fatalities remains at 36, while 224 people have recovered from the coronavirus.

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, COVID-19 Incident Manager Dr. Richard Laku added that the ministry is still following-up 1,682 active cases.

 Laku said a patient who is severely ill is receiving treatment at the Dr. Garang Infectious Diseases Unit. He added that a total of 873 contacts that were being traced have been reached.

The health official said a total of 3,513 contacts have so far completed their mandatory 14-day follow-up. Laku urged the public to follow government guidelines to curb the spread of the disease.

South Sudan has seen a rapid increase in the number of the positive cases since the outbreak was first reported in the country in April.

A WHO representative told Radio Tamazuj last month South Sudan’s health care system is poorly prepared for coronavirus.

“South Sudan’s health sector lacks medical personnel, modern healthcare equipment and many citizens still find it difficult to access the existing health facilities in many parts of the country,” said Dr. Emmanuel Timothy, the head of the WHO in Upper Nile State.