Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice President and Angelina Teny, Minister of Defense use elbow greetings during a recent event in Juba. PHOTO: Courtesy

South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar has revealed to the country that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

In a televised address this evening, Machar announced that he and his wife, Angelina Teny have both contracted the virus.

Angelina is the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

They are among 57 new cases of the virus confirmed yesterday.

According to the Ministry of Health, Machar and Angelina and other officials were tested on Wednesday last week.

But the results of the 197 samples were released today May 18. 

Dr. Makur Koriom, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health said the First Vice President and his wife have not shown signs or symptoms for the disease.

“Both are in good health, they have no symptoms, they are in high spirit,” Dr. Makur affirmed.

He said Dr. Machar, Angelina, their bodyguards and family members who recently came into contact with them will self-quarantine for 14 days.

“Among the 57 cases confirmed positive for COVID-19 is his Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and madam Angelina Teny, the Minister for Defense…they will go into quarantine at their official residence in Juba for the next 14 days,” he added.

Speaking on the state television, Dr. Riek Machar confirmed that a number of people who he associated with have also tested positive for the virus.

“They have to behave accordingly so that we can contain the spread of the diseases. So now the whole residence is quarantined,” Dr. Machar stated.

Among the 57 new cases, four are females and 53 males.

They range between the ages of 23 and 73 years old.

2 new deaths have also been registered in the country.

Dr. Makur Koriom stated that medical doctors will continue to monitor Dr. Riek Machar, Angelina Teny and those who have self-quarantined.

“Our doctors will conduct follow up tests after a couple of weeks, and if afterwards the tests return normal, they will then be discharged.”

South Sudan now has 347 cases, 4 recoveries and 6 deaths related to the coronavirus.