Correctional services appoints medical panel and extra nurses
This as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at prisons climb to 321.
The Department of Correctional Services has appointed a medical advisory panel and an additional 393 nursing personnel, as the number of cases at prison facilities increased.
This decision was in response to a hike in confirmed cases in some prisons as the total tally climbed to 321 cases, according to departmental spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.
He said the measure was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the department in dealing with Covid-19.
“We have noted a resurgence of positive cases,” he said.
“To avail immediate expertise in the management of infections, prevention and control measures, we decided on a medical panel and additional nurses.”
Nxumalo confirmed the department had ten new Covid-19 cases.
The new cases were of six officials and three inmates in the Western Cape, and one case of an official in Kimberly in the Northern Cape.
“This measure is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of the department in dealing with Covid-19, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.”
According to Nxumalo, the number of recoveries in the department increased to 92.
Fifty-nine of these were recorded in the Eastern Cape, which has the highest number of confirmed cases at 223.
“The recoveries follow intensified efforts by the department in implementing its Covid-19 disaster management strategy where more officials and inmates are screened and tested.”
The total breakdown was as follows:
– Eastern Cape: officials 50; inmates 173
– Western Cape: officials 73; inmates 8; recovery 30
– Limpopo: officials 2; inmates 0; recovery 1
– Gauteng: officials 4; inmates 9; recovery 1
– Northern Cape: official 1
– Department’s head office: officials 1; recovery 1
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