SANDF Records 4 COVID-19 Cases, plus 49 More Inmates Positive for Coronavirus in East London
The Surgeon General of the South African National Defence Force says the SANDF has recorded its first four positive cases of the COVID-19. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Surgeon General said three of the cases were in the Western Cape, while the fourth was recorded in Gauteng. “None of these members are uniformed […]
The Surgeon General of the South African National Defence Force says the SANDF has recorded its first four positive cases of the COVID-19.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Surgeon General said three of the cases were in the Western Cape, while the fourth was recorded in Gauteng.
“None of these members are uniformed members nor members deployed in support of the SAPS. It is imperative to note that the military community is bigger than the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),” read the statement.
The military community is inclusive of dependants of the serving, retired soldiers and others eligible for care by the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). All COVID-19 cases are treated and managed as per COVID-19 prescribed protocol.
Frontline workers have been issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), the Surgeon General said.
“Other preventative measures include thermal screening, hand sanitising and wearing of surgical masks by Department of Defence personnel,” said the SANDF in the statement.
The SANDF said it has also identified quarantine and isolation facilities for the military community in preparation for the envisaged overflow in military hospitals and sickbays.
These facilities are Department of Defence establishments with accommodation capacity in all provinces.
Inmates test positive for COVID-19
Meanwhile the number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at East London Correctional facility has increased by 49 cases, says the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
“The number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at East London Correctional facility has increased by 49 cases. Overall figures will therefore reflect, 53 inmates and 25 officials (inclusive of St Albans and Head Office), thus placing DCS to a combined total of 78 cases,” said the department in a statement on Tuesday.
In addition, the department also announced that it has activated containment and treatment measures at its facilities.
Healthcare teams are on site, armed with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
DCS has a list of hospitals and health care centres where inmates could be transferred in cases where they require admissions.
“Appropriate safe escorts will be employed in order to limit the risk for officials and hospitals receiving inmates in need of care.
“Disinfection of the environment at East London Correctional Centre is underway. This is to prevent contamination of surfaces and inanimate objects,” said the department.
In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, the DCS is now splitting out-of-cell time for the distribution of food.
Only two out of 243 centres have reported positive cases of the virus thus far.
The department 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. – SAnews.gov.za