South Sudan records first covid-19 death

Government officials in South Sudan have revealed that the country has suffered its first death directly attributed to the coronavirus.

The country has officially recorded more than 230 positive cases of the virus.

The news of the fatality follows the diagnosis of several people in a crowded camp for displaced persons close to the capital city, Juba.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) admitted it would be extremely difficult to control the spread of the virus in such cramped conditions.

Close to 30,000 people currently live in the camp, where three people share one mosquito net.

Camp officials have installed additional hygiene measures, but it is not possible for people to maintain a safe distance from one another.

The ICRC said it was extremely concerned about the prospect of the virus taking hold inside the camp.

To date, more than four million people have been displaced by conflict in South Sudan.

[Photo: AP]