The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in South Sudan now stands at 290.

Health Ministry Undersecretary Makur Matur Koryom revealed 54 new cases in an address to journalists in the capital Juba on Sunday.

This is highest tally since the first case was reported in the country in April.

“The 54 cases of today [Sunday], 53 of them were South Sudanese and one foreign national from Eritrea, who also resides in South Sudan,” Makur said.

The undersecretary further said the new cases were confirmed positive after the public health laboratory in Juba released test results of 376 samples.

He urged South Sudanese to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines to curb the spread of the virus.

The virus 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.