Inmates are seen sitting at the male section of the Johannesburg Correctional Centre also known as Sun City Prison, South Africa, on April 8, 2020. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP)
Correctional Services register nine more COVID-19 cases
More prisoners and officials have tested positive for COVID-19.
Inmates are seen sitting at the male section of the Johannesburg Correctional Centre also known as Sun City Prison, South Africa, on April 8, 2020. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP)
The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in South Africa’s prisons.
The country’s often overcrowded prisons have proven to be one of the fertile breeding grounds for the spread of the coronavirus, with dozens of inmates and officials returning positive tests.
Correctional Services hit by more COVID-19 cases
The number of confirmed cases in the department has now risen to 138 after nine more people tested positive.
“Mass screening and testing has been pivotal for the Department of Correctional Services as it enables the gauging of the actual spread of COVID-19 which leads to immediate containment and treatment of those testing positive, ” says the Department in a statement.
Department of Correctional Services
The statement continued;
“DCS appreciates the good working relationship with the Department of Health as more teams are on the ground, working hard to contain any further spread of the virus whilst giving the best care possible to those testing positive. “
Department of Correctional Services
Prisons in four provinces have registered COVID-19 cases, with the Eastern Cape closing in on 100 cases that include prisoners and prison officials.
Earlier in the day, department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said positive cases continue to increase.
“Kgosi Mampuru II is being monitored closely as positive cases involving remand detainees are now at two. Mass screening and testing has assisted to this effect as the spread can now be contained and prevented from spreading to other sections. Positive cases for officials in the Eastern Cape are now at 35,” said Nxumalo.
Singabakho Nxumalo
COVID-19 in SA prisons: Breakdown per province
Eastern Cape: 56 prisoners, 35 officials
Western Cape: one prisoner, 35 officials
Limpopo: no prisoners infected, two officials
Gauteng: seven prisoners, one official
Head office: one official
South Africa has a total of 4 996 COVID-19 cases, with the death doll now at 93.
Recoveries have been recorded at 2 073.
