Dr. Riek, his wife and 5 staff members test positive for coronavirus – spokesman
Photo: South Sudan’s First Vice president Dr. Riek Machar, right, and his wife Angelina Teny while taking oath of office in February
JUBA – Dr. Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President and the minister of defense Angelina Teny who is also his wife have today tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus, his spokesman James Gatdet Dak has confirmed.
“The First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, and Madam Angelina Teny, plus a number of his office staff and bodyguards have tested positive with Covid-19 disease,” James Gatdet Dak said in a statement.
“This came as a result of the testing done by members of the High Level Task force on coronavirus on Wednesday, 13 May 2020. The result was declared today, Monday, 18 May, 2020.
“A number of other previous members of the Taskforce also tested positive.
“Earlier, Dr. Machar took a (coronavirus) test on 27 April, 2020, during which the result came out negative. However, another testing was done on all the members of the Taskforce after one of their members tested positive.
“He has issued a public statement declaring that he is found positive, and from today will self-quarantine in his residence for the next 14 days, with the rest in the residence found positive.
He is healthy with no symptoms and also confirmed by the doctor. He encouraged the public to conduct testing and know their personal status.”