The Department of Correctional Services and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases have tested 73 officials, following the confirmation of a positive case of COVID-19 at a female correctional facility in the East London Correctional Centre.
Department spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo says the figure is inclusive of the 32 officials who were asked to self-isolate at home, as they came into contact with the first positive case.
A second female official, who used the services of a private laboratory for testing much earlier in the week, has received her results and it is also a positive case.
This brings the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in DCS to two officials.
Nxumalo said inmates were also screened, and 31 had already been tested by the end of business on 8 April 2020.
The screening and testing for officials and inmates is ongoing, and measures are in place to provide support to those who may test positive for COVID-19.
Testing will also be conducted on those residing within DCS premises.
