COVID-19 cases at SA prisons rise to 732

The Department of Correctional Services has a total number of 732 COVID-19 cases with 256 officials and 476 inmates.

In a statement, the department confirms that the Western Cape has recorded nine additional cases of officials, whilst Gauteng has registered three remand detainees and Eastern Cape an additional official.

The Eastern Cape has the highest number of cases at 490 and most of them are inmates.

The department has recorded a surge in offender recoveries with 27 offenders in the Western Cape testing negative.

“This indicates good progress by the team of healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19. The total number of recoveries in DCS is now standing at 170.”

The Western Cape has the highest number of recoveries, 86, with 215 number of coronavirus cases.

Below is a breakdown of the statistics:

Earlier Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that the worst is still yet to come when it comes to coronavirus infections. Mkhize says South Africa is expected to deal with a bigger outbreak.

Currently, 950 people are in hospital and 120 of which are in Intensive Care Unit. This is as the country prepares for Level 3 of the lockdown which will see more people returning to work.

Grade 7 and 12 learners are also heading back to school on 1 June.