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Jump in Sudan Coronavirus Cases Prompts Total Lockdown

Michael Atit

   KHARTOUM - After a steep jump in confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past
   24 hours, Sudan's transitional government has imposed a nationwide
   lockdown to try to stop the spread of virus.

   Health officials blame the rising number of confirmed cases on citizens
   who refuse to follow preventative directives issued by authorities.
   Sudan's High-Level Task Force for COVID-19 now says anyone who violates
   the directives will be punished.

   In the past 24 hours,the government reported 67 new cases, raising the
   total to 442 confirmed cases,according to Professor SadiqTawor, a
   member of Sudan's Sovereign Council,wholeadsthetask force.

   Taworsays the death toll stands at 31 after three more people died
   Thursday.Thirty-ninepatients have fully recovered.Thirteenof Sudan's 18
   states have confirmed at least one case of coronavirus.

   The government had no other option but to impose a total
   lockdown,according toTawor.

   "This measure is taken as one of our solid responsibility
   towardthesafety of our citizens, to protect them fromthecarelessness of
   opportunists, who are trying to gain and benefit despite the ongoing
   pandemic,"TawortoldVOA'sSouth Sudan in Focus.

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