Covid-19 cases at East London correctional facility rises to 78
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases at East London Correctional Centre stands at 78, the Department of Correctional Services said on Tuesday.
The number of inmates who tested positive has increased by 49, to a total of 53, while 25 officials are in a similar position.
The department’s Singabakho Nxumalo says health teams are on the site.
“As the number of infected people increases in correctional services, the containment and treatment pillar of the disaster management response strategy of the department has been activated. This is looking at the rapid identification of laboratory-confirmed cases, the isolation of those who test positive and management of the pandemic within our centres.
"Disinfection of the environment is also underway. This is to prevent contamination of surfaces and inanimate objects.”
Nxumalo says Covid-19 has only reared its head at two of the country’s 243 centres.
"It remains critical that prevention measures remain in force and be granulised in order to keep other centres Covid-19 free. Valuable lessons have been learned at East London and this will influence our disaster response plan moving forward.”
The Department of Health in the province has identified a list of hospitals and healthcare centres to where inmates could be transferred.
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