Caledon prison may have restrictions eased amid Covid-19 recovery reports
By Okuhle Hlati
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Cape Town – The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) could soon start relaxing some restrictions to stop the Covid-19 spread at the Helderstroom Maximum Correctional Centre in Caledon as no new cases were reported for the past five days.
A strict lockdown, with conditions including limited to almost no movement, had to be put in place on Saturday to contain the spread.
This after infections among inmates rose from 87 to 152, while the number of officials who contracted the virus increased from five to eight.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said although it was the Maximum Centre that was the main concern, they also placed strict protocols at the Medium Centre following fears the spread would be uncontrollable.
Some Covid-19 positive inmates from Helderstroom Prison transferred to Pollsmoor
12 January 2021 1:36 PM
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A number of inmates who tested positive for Covid-19 at the Helderstroom Prison in Caledon have been sent to isolate at Pollsmoor Prison.
The Helderstroom Maximum Correctional Centre remains on lockdown after an alarming increase in Covid-19 infections among inmates last week.
The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that at least 152 inmates and eight officials have tested positive for the virus at the facility in Caledon.
Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says some inmates are self-isolating in separate sections within the facility that have been designated for isolation and quarantine purposes.