Officials from the DCS and inmates got their jabs amidst the third wave of Covid-19 in the province and across the country with thousands of patients who died from the virus in the province. During the launch of the vaccination programme, MEC Montseng Tsiu explained that the vaccine rollout will ensure that lives are saved and Correctional Services, in particular, continue to be rendered unabated even in the midst of the virus.

Tsiu has expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the Grootvlei vaccination site where the department is targeting 90% of inmates and 67% of DCS officials.

“The mood is good and people are eager to get vaccinated. I am happy that the attendance is good - people are happy and want to get vaccinated. What makes me happy is the fact that we know that they live in an enclosed [environment] where they can easily infect each other, so for them to get vaccinated... the inmates and the officials... [is important]. I am also happy with how the programme is going and they have their own nursing staff whom we trained, as the Department of Health,” Tsiu adds.

She says though non-pharmaceutical measures such as the washing of hands, sanitising, social distancing, wearing of masks and staying home have proven to provide a certain layer of protection against this virus, it has also been realised that they are not enough to offer full protection against this rapidly spreading and frequently mutating virus of multiple variants.

"All these efforts are embarked upon to ensure that the country reaches the much-needed herd or population immunity and thereby intensify its determination to emerge triumphant against Covid-19.  

"More than anything else, this will ensure lives are saved, and by extension, that a full basket of government services, and correctional services in particular, continue to be rendered unabated even in the midst of the deadly virus. To this end, Correctional Services officials will also be vaccinated by the Department of Health as part of today’s proceedings,” she further adds.

So far, DCS in the Free State and Northern Cape region have had 1 349 positive cases, 1 247 recoveries, 26 deaths and 76 active cases.

The Free State DCS accounts for 970 positive cases, 898 recoveries, 16 deaths and 56 active cases.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Kekeletso Mosebetsi