New coronavirus cases continue to increase in Correctional Services
Updated | By Anastasi Mokgobu
The Department of Correctional Services has recorded a total of 571 Covid-19 cases with 99 recoveries and 4 deaths.
The new cases bring the total to 178 officials and 393 inmates in the country's correctional services facilities.
Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, says a total of 477 inmates were tested at East London.
The first batch of results was received on 11 May 2020 confirming 103 positive cases, 78 testing negative, whilst 277 results remained outstanding.
"Department of Correctional Services is now able to affirm that 178 of the 277 inmates also tested positive which illustrate the upturn in East London," says Nxumalo.
He adds that an oversight visit indicated that correctional centres are complying with the Standard Operating Procedures and protocols on COVID-19.
" However, the medical advisory panel has advised Correctional Services to go beyond the prescribed screening procedures as that could be challenging for a correctional environment.
As a result, DCS has commenced with advanced screening which include assessment of vital signs," adds Nxumalo.
This comes as the South African Sentenced and Awaiting Trial Prisoners Organisation (SASAPO) is calling on the Department of Correctional Services to release long-serving prisoners who have completed at least half of their sentences.
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