S.African Air Force shuts HQs as members contract virus

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - The South African Air Force (SAAF) has temporarily closed its headquarters in capital Pretoria after two of its members tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Brigadier Gen. Hilton Smith, the spokesperson for SAAF, said in a statement late Tuesday they had closed down their building as a precautionary measure, which is undergoing deep cleaning for decontamination.

Smith said the two members who tested positive have already been quarantined as required by the National Department of Health.

“As a precautionary measure, all employees who, at any given time in the last fourteen (14) days, came into contact with the positive persons to immediately consult with medical specialists for COVID-19 screening and testing,’’ he added.

South Africa has the highest number of virus cases in Africa standing at 52,991, including 1,162 deaths.

Several essential workers including those in the health sector have contracted the deadly virus.

At least 49 staff and patients tested positive for COVID-19 at the Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town, local media reported on Wednesday.

It said staff had been instructed to self-isolate and infected patients are in an isolation ward.