South Sudan’ Ministry of Health reported 134 new cases of coronavirus infection on Wednesday, sending the cumulative total to 481.

Dr. Makur Koryom, Health Ministry’s Undersecretary told reporters in Juba that the new cases were confirmed positive after the public health laboratory tested 271 samples in the last 48 hours.

Koryom disclosed that 80 percent of all the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country are males, adding that only one patient at the Dr John Garang Infectious Diseases Unit is critically ill.

The health official also announced two more discharges, hence bringing the total number of coronavirus recoveries to six.  He added that the country has so far registered five deaths.

Koryom expressed concern over increasing COVID-19 cases in the country and called for concerted efforts to control the spread of the deadly disease.

The undersecretary denied reports that health workers at the public health laboratory are not working, noting that the public laboratory is working to clear a backlog of 3,000 samples awaiting testing.

“I want to assure our people that all health workers are working around the clock. It is important to remind ourselves of the importance of social distancing as this disease has no cure,” he said.

He added,” We are also seeing a lot of deaths happening in the community, suspicious deaths. It is important that we take patients to hospitals as early as possible.”

Koryom noted that the Dr. John Garang Infectious Diseases Unit is equipped to provide supportive treatment for COVID-19 patients in the country.