Ten cabinet ministers in South Sudan are now confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus.
Speaking with the BBC,the Information Minister Michael Makuei said that all members of the high-level task force on coronavirus – apart from the health minister – have tested positive for Covid-19.
But he has denied reports that President Salva Kiir – who was also a member of the team – had tested positive.
It comes just days after Vice-President Riek Machar announced he had tested positive alongside his wife, Defence Minister Angelina Teny.
All of the infected ministers are now in self-isolation and the government says they are in good health.
South Sudan has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in recent days with more than 300 confirmed cases and six deaths.
There are fears the virus could cause havoc given the healthcare system is barely functioning following decades of conflict.
