30 new coronavirus cases registered in Sudan – 10 people have died

Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health says that 30 new cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) have been registered, including four fatalities, as of Friday. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of the virus in the country since the outbreak to 66, and the death toll to 10.

A report by the ministry via the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) today said that 27 cases were confirmed within Khartoum state on Friday. These included two foreigners. Three cases, two from White Nile state and one from El Gezira state, were also registered on the same day, bringing the total to 66.

The ministry details that the two men and two women who died were all from within Khartoum state.

According to the report, the people contracted the infection by various means including contact with patients or involving people who arrived in Sudan from abroad.

Of the national total of 66 infection to date, 61 were registered in Khartoum state alone. One case is from River Nile state in northern Sudan, three from White Nile state, and one from Gezira state.

Khartoum in lockdown

Total lockdown came into effect in Khartoum state today and will last for at least three weeks. During the lockdown, people in the residential districts of the capital are allowed to leave their homes from 6 am until 1 pm to purchase their main needs. Cash can be withdrawn from bank accounts by telephone applications.

Exceptions to the curfew have been made for medical staff, health emergencies, people suffering from chronic diseases, and to personnel of bakeries, provided that the members of the Freedom and Change service committees sell the bread from sale centres in order to prevent gatherings at the bakeries.

The Khartoum Security Committee stated that police and security forces will patrol the neighbourhoods, and be strict in enforcing the lockdown.

On Thursday, PM Hamdok relieved the military governor of Khartoum from his position. Sources say Lt Gen Ahmed Abdoun was dismissed hours after he refused to ban group prayers in Khartoum mosques during the three-week lockdown. Minister of Governance Yousef El Dei will take over his position until the appointment of a new governor.

In its meeting yesterday, chaired by Hamdok, the Council of Ministers emphasised the necessity to adhere to the decision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to temporarily suspend gatherings in places of worship in Khartoum.

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