Nyirol County in Jonglei state has confirmed 21 more Covid-19 positive cases, bringing the total to 49 as of Monday, health officials said.
The county health director, Tiwtiw Kuon, told Radio Tamazuj that 36 health workers are among the confirmed cases.
“We have confirmed 49 cases of a total of 103 people tested from last Thursday to today (Monday),” he said. “Of positive cases, 12 are females and 37 are males, and of which 36 of them are health workers.”
The health official said they are alarmed by the surge and urged residents to follow COVID-19safety measures.
“We are investigating why this increase and why now. At the county level, we are urging residents to avoid public places and observe other infection prevention and control measures like wearing masks and they should come for vaccination voluntarily,” he stressed.
On his part, Duop Rom Kok, the acting state health ministry director-general, appealed to health agencies operating in the country to come to their aid.
“The hospital in Nyirol is small and is not like that of Bor or Juba so the patients are quarantined at their homes within the community and we are worried that the virus will spread further,” he said. “So, we are appealing to the patients to remain indoors and we will be visiting them in their homes.”
Meanwhile, Rev. John Both Reat, a clergyman in Nyirol, said Covid-19 is real and called on the faithful to strictly observe safety measures.
“During our Sunday service, we received some health professionals who alerted us on Covid-19. Immediately, we implemented social distancing rules in our sitting arrangement and as a church, we are also educating the faithful on safety measures,” he said.