South Sudanese government officials had earlier accused the UN mission in the country of smuggling out the unidentified staffer, who was among 100 people who are believed to have come into contact with one of the four confirmed Covid-19 cases.

But in a statement, the UN said the staff member flew out of the country on a commercial flight and without authorisation.

The statement also clarified that the man has since tested negative after undergoing a second test in his home country.

South Sudan has confirmed four cases of Covid 19 - with UN personnel among those testing positive for the virus.

The revelation sparked online xenophobic attacks against the UN mission in the country.

As we reported earlier, aid agencies have warned that the country’s health care system is in danger of entirely collapsing if the virus spreads further and particularly poses a serious threat to nearly two million people - internally displaced by years of conflict.