COVID-19: Death toll rises after Sudan Peace Celebration in Juba
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN:
Despite the pandemic, thousands of people who gathered at the John Garang Mausoleum to celebrate the signing of the Sudan peace agreement last weekend did not observe the COVID-19 preventative measures.
Some Juba residents forgot about the pandemic due to the celebratory mood and a feeling of peace. A majority of the people who attended the peace celebration did not wear facemasks or stand at least one meter apart per the coronavirus social distancing guidelines.
Some people were even seen shaking hands and hugging their friends and relatives at the event.
According to the South Sudan Health Ministry COVID-19 situation updates Thursday, the number of reported deaths attributed to the pandemic has risen to 53, up by four new deaths from last week where it has been stable for several weeks.
One of many Juba residents who attended the peace celebration, Taharir Chaplain, said during the celebration Saturday that when there is peace, he is not afraid of hunger or the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When there’s peace even if you don’t have something to eat, you feel happy, that’s why I believe what Sudan is doing through will be the same to us here in South Sudan.”
“If there’s peace even if corona is there God will protect us. So, I am not scared of anything, I just feel joy today.” Chaplain told The Insider.
Like others, Mary Ayen, a young South Sudanese woman who was not wearing a facemask said she was not thinking about COVID-19 at the event. “I am so happy today to the extent that I forgot about the coronavirus and I don’t know if the virus is still there or not.” Ayen said joyously.
But Musa Ibrahim, a Sudanese national who did wear a face mask, washed his hands before attending the event and sanitized at the entrance, said although people think there is no coronavirus in South Sudan, they should be protecting themselves and their loved ones by wearing face masks every time they go outside.
“There are some diseases that people can spread to others once they are infected. That is why it’s important for you to protect yourself by wearing a facemask and washing your hands with water and soap.” Ibrahim explained.
Doctor Thuou Loi, spokesperson at South Sudan’s health ministry, said health workers provided some facemasks, took temperature readings and sanitized people before they entered the John Garang Mausoleum, but admits most people did not observe social distancing guidelines.
“It will be difficult, in this celebration as you have seen, to adhere to social distancing but wearing masks, hand hygiene and the fact that we screen them for temperature, it will at least reduce the chances of transmitting the virus.” Dr. Loi told The Insider.
Although health officials are reporting fewer cases of COVID-19 in South Sudan, people should continue observing preventive measures because the virus is still spreading in neighboring countries, he warned.
“Like in Uganda for example, which is next door. And Uganda is our important neighbor. In fact, we share so many things in common; we have communities that are in common between Uganda and South Sudan and we have a daily cross movement between South Sudan and Uganda and it’s very important on that note that we improve our measures against COVID-19.” Dr. Loi added.
Confirmed total cases of COVID-19 in South Sudan has risen to 2,749 from 2,660 last week and 2,604 recoveries. Currently, there are about 1,098 alerts cases, and
the number of reported deaths attributed to COVID-19 has increased to 53 as of Thursday October 08, 2020.
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