Three members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have tested positive for Covid-19.
SANDF Surgeon General Lieutenant, General Zola Dabula stated that there were a total of 184 suspected cases of which 125 tests have been conducted. Three members have tested positive and 105 tests came back negative.
In a statement on Saturday, Dabula stated that 15 SANDF members were awaiting their results while three results appeared inconclusive.
Meanwhile, the SANDF has identified mass quarantine and mass isolation facilities for its members as well as their dependents in preparations for the envisaged overflow in military hospitals and sick bays. Dabula also dismissed reports that SANDF members were receiving substandard protective gear.
“There have been malicious and irresponsible statements doing the rounds to the effect that we are giving our members on the frontline substandard protective gear, which includes thermal scanners, masks, and gloves among other things. This is unfair and unfounded,” said the Lieutenant General.
He reassured deployed members that these reports were false and intended to negatively affect their morale.
Dabula urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified medical information about the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS).
“Allow me to use this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to all deployed SA National Defence Force members. The SAMHS is working around the clock to hinder and inhibit this fast advancing destructive and unseen enemy,” he concluded.
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