The SANDF said three of the cases are from the Western Cape and one from Gauteng.
PRETORIA – The Surgeon-General of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Wednesday said there are four positive cases of Covid-19 within the military community in South Africa.
The SANDF said three of the cases are from the Western Cape and one from Gauteng.
“None of these members are uniformed members nor members deployed in support of the SAPS (South African Police Service). It is imperative to note that the military community is bigger than the South African National Defence Force,” the SANDF said in a statement.
The military community is inclusive of dependants of the serving or retired soldiers and others eligible for care by the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). All Covid-19 cases are treated and managed as per Covid-19 prescribed protocol.
The SANDF said front-line workers – emergency medical teams, nurses, doctors and porters, including soldiers patrolling the townships – have been issued with personal protective equipment (PPE). Other preventative measures include thermal screening, hand sanitising and wearing of surgical masks by Department of Defence (DOD) personnel.
“In addition, the SA Military Health Service continues with its Covid-19 awareness campaign by educating DOD members on correct use of the surgical masks, maintaining good basic hygiene principles and social distancing,” the SANDF said.
“The SANDF has also identified quarantine and isolation facilities for the military community in preparation for the envisaged overflow in military hospitals and sickbays. These facilities are Department of Defence establishments with accommodation capacity in all provinces.”
– African News Agency