Gauteng Correctional Services records its first Covid-19 confirmed case
Department of Correctional Services – The first positive case is of an official at Johannesburg Correctional Services management area.
The Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said an official at the department’s Johannesburg management area tested positive for Covid-19.
He said the official was currently in quarantine and contact tracing had already begun to curb the spread of the virus in the department ‘quickly’.
Nxumalo added, “DCS remains committed to enforcing measures to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 in all our centres. We will continue drawing from the expertise of the Department of Health to provide necessary quality healthcare to those in need.
“The well-being of officials and inmates and their health remain our priority. We will continue working with all stakeholders to implement our Covid-19 disaster management response strategy.”
He said the DCS would not identify the correctional department for the fear of stigmatisation of officials.
According to Nxumalo, the department had two recoveries from Covid-19 cases – one in East London where most cases are recorded, and one in Kutama Sinthumule correctional, Limpopo province.
“The recoveries follow intensified efforts by DCS in implementing its Covid-19 Disaster Management Strategy where more officials and inmates are screened and tested.”
The department also confirmed two new Covid-19 cases in the Western Cape, bringing the total number of cases in DCS to 114 thus far.
The total breakdown is as follows:
● Eastern Cape – officials 31; inmates 56 (stagnated)
● Western Cape – officials 22; inmates 1
● Limpopo – officials 2; inmates 0
● Gauteng – officials 1; inmates 0
● DCS head office – officials 1
The department said prevention measures for officials were prioritised as the numbers of Covid-19 cases continue to increase, and a comprehensive care response to all positive cases remained important.
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