Covid19: 53 inmates and 25 officials in correctional facilities test positive

The number of inmates testing positive for Covid-19 at the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) East London correctional facility has increased by 49 cases.

Overall figures reflect 53 inmates and 25 officials have tested positive, which includes St Albans correctional facility in Port Elizabeth and the DCS head office.

These figures were released in a statement by the department earlier today (Tuesday, April 14).

The statement added that as the number of infections increases, the containment and treatment pillar of the Disaster Management Response Strategy of the department has been activated. This includes the rapid identification of laboratory-confirmed cases, the isolation of those who test positive and the management of the pandemic within its centres.

It said health care teams are on site, armed with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) – which includes goggles, gloves, masks and gowns – rendering care services to distress cases and monitoring those likely to develop acute respiratory challenges.

Working together with the Department of Health and Provinces, DCS has a list of hospitals and health care centres where inmates could be transferred should they require admission. Appropriate safe escorts will be employed in order to limit the risk to officials and hospitals receiving inmates in need of care.

Disinfection of the environment at the East London correctional centre is underway. This is to prevent contamination of surfaces and inanimate objects, the department said.

DCS is now splitting out-of-cell time for the distribution of food. This means that units or wings are divided in order to avoid a concentration of inmates and officials in open spaces. This measure does not abolish access to open air, which is mandatory for inmates.

Visits will remain restricted and the DCS has since issued a circular advising correctional centres to increase the limit which inmates are allowed to spend at centre tuckshops. This will allow inmates to purchase items from the tuckshops, adhering to social distancing protocols. More toiletries are being provided so that offenders are not disadvantaged.

The department pointed out that only two out of 243 centres have reported positive cases of the virus thus far, therefore, it remains critical that prevention measures remain in force in order to keep other centres Covid-19 free. Valuable lessons have been learnt at East London and this will influence disaster response plans moving forward.

However, it said, it must be acknowledged that, as the virus continues to spread in communities, correctional centres within the same localities will remain vulnerable. Officials attending gatherings and movements from their residences to places of work are receiving attention, in addition to screening.

“DCS is working jointly with other stakeholders on emergency possibilities and response interventions should the epidemic reach unimagined proportions in the country. It has also procured mobile quarantine sites that will assist with isolation cases. This is in addition to centres already identified and prepared for this purpose across all provinces.” the statement concluded.

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).