Leer County in Unity State is at risk of a health crisis since there are no tools to test for the novel coronavirus and medical doctors, a local official disclosed.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Grace Lazarus, the deputy mayor of Leer town, urged humanitarian organizations to provide the necessary services required to protect people from the pandemic.

She further said four inmates, earlier convicted of cattle theft, have been released as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"We have closed all shops and stopped gatherings, but there are some shops exceptionally opened for citizens,” Lazarus explained.

South Sudan has confirmed a second case of the new coronavirus on Tuesday after it confirmed a first case Sunday.

There are concerns a surge in COVID-19 cases would quickly overwhelm South Sudan's fragile health system.