Correctional services Covid-19 cases climb to 700

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed that their total number of Covid-19 cases stood at 700 on Thursday.

Departmental spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said 229 officials and 471 inmates have contracted the virus thus far.

The Eastern and Western Cape prisons continue to have the highest number of Covid-19 cases.

Nxumalo said the Western Cape recorded new Covid-19 cases of eight officials and one inmate.

Fourteen inmates and two officials in the Eastern Cape also tested positive for the virus.

On Monday, the department confirmed 605 cases.

This means that the total jumped with 95 cases in just four days recorded only in the two provinces.

Nxumalo said recorded recoveries stood at 137 from 118 confirmed on Monday.

The total provincial breakdown was as follows:

– Eastern Cape: officials 74; inmates 413; recoveries 72

– Western Cape: officials 140; inmates 49; recoveries 53

– Limpopo: officials 2; recovery 1

– Gauteng: officials 7; inmates 9; recovery 10

– Northern Cape: official 2

– Free State: official 1

– KwaZulu-Natal: officials 2

– Department’s head office: official 1; recovery 1

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