May 18, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his wife Angelina who is also the country’s defense minister have both tested positive for COVID-19, a statement from his office said.
James Gatdet Dak, the press secretary in the office of the first vice-president said Machar’s samples and those of his wife were collected on May 13 after one of members of the high-level taskforce on coronavirus tested positive.
“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 the statement seen by Nyamilepedia.
“This came as a result of the testing done by members of the High Level Task force on Wednesday, 13 May 2020. The result was declared today, Monday, 18 May, 2020,” the statement added.
Gatdet said a number of members of the high-level taskforce have been tested positive for the virus. He said Machar had tested negative for the virus in late April and this latest test was done after one of the high-level taskforce came into contact with Machar.
“A number of other previous members of the Taskforce also tested positive. Earlier, Dr. Machar took a 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,” Gatdet said.
“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,” he added.
