The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 710, including 149 deaths, the country’s health ministry said, while dismissing social media rumors that a nationwide lockdown had been imposed in response to the outbreak.

The case fatality rate stood at 21.0 per cent. A total of 324 patients were in isolation or hospitalised, while 35 people had recovered. The ministry said the government, together with provincial authorities, response partners and local communities, was continuing public health interventions. Response teams on the ground are carrying out epidemiological surveillance, patient care, contact tracing, targeted vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, Xinhua news agency reported.