Jan 29, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — At least 16 of the frontline healthcare workers have tested positive for Corona-virus in Yirol hospital in Lakes State.
![Medical staff at the Juba teaching hospital(Photo credit: supplied)](https://i0.wp.com/www.nyamile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/5589a9bdedb2f36910009821-Male_side_of_Medical_unit__4.jpg?resize=1400%2C1050&ssl=1)
According to Dr. Makuei Ijong, a health official at the facility, 65 of the contacts to the positive patients have been successfully traced.
“So we traced 65 contacts and 16 contacts were positive. Currently this morning we have a total of 17 positive cases this morning,” Dr. Makuei Ijong said.
He said that the infected include two drivers adding that they are doing everything possible to prevent the virus from spreading to the communities.
“The last three cases one came from Yirol East, another came from Pan-liet and the other one came from Atar. The five cases have been quarantined now in Yirol hospital with one case in critical condition.”
Dr. Marial Chewir Koch, a medical director at Yirol Hospital had told a local radio station on Tuesday that the health workers came into contact with their colleague from Abang Primary Health Care (PHC) in Yirol West County last Friday. After contact tracing, 42 samples were taken for testing.
“Until now, we can confirm 12 positive cases in Yirol Hospital because the first case had some contacts. Until yesterday, we tested 42 samples out of 50 contacts, and from 42 samples, we found 12 positive and we are still waiting for other pending results from 8 samples,” he said.
He urged people to follow the ministry of health guidelines which include wearing face masks, regularly washing hands with soap and water and maintaining social distance.
“We also urged our people that we are now in a crisis of Coronavirus. We want everyone to wear face masks, Wash hands regularly with soaps and make social distancing measures when sitting in crowded places,” Chewir said. “COVID-19 is real.”
Since the outbreak of the dreaded virus, South Sudan has reported more than 3,913 confirmed cases, with 64 deaths and 3,596 recoveries.