The number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at East London Correctional Centre has increased to 53.
The spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, said more officials have also tested positive, bringing their total to 25.
He said this number includes the positive tests done at St Albans prison in Port Elizabeth and one case at their Head Office in Pretoria.
Nxumalo said, therefore, the combined total for the Department stands at 78 cases.
He said their Disaster Management Response Strategy has been activated which includes the rapid identification of laboratory-confirmed cases, isolating those infected and managing the pandemic within their centres.
Nxumalo said health care teams are on-site, armed with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and together with the Department of Health a list of Hospitals and health care centres have been identified for inmates who might need to be admitted.
The Department said appropriate safe escorts will be employed to limit the risk of officials and hospitals receiving inmates in need of care.
