Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba says she is alarmed by the Covid-19 cluster outbreak at Exxaro Mine in Lephalale, where 57 new cases were recorded within four days this week.

Of the 57 cases, 18 of them were recorded on Wednesday. 

The cluster outbreak at the mine comes at a time when the fourth wave is expected to hit in the coming weeks. 

Ramathuba pointed out that the majority of those infected at the mine had not been vaccinated and were showing severe symptoms.

"It is a worrying factor that the majority of those who tested positive and symptomatic are those who are not vaccinated, while those vaccinated are not displaying severe symptoms and are isolating at home.

"This is despite our effort and that of the mine to offer all workers vaccines at their workplace," she said.

Ramathuba strongly urged members of the public to get vaccinated, warning that the pandemic was not over yet.

"Covid-19 is still very much present. We are equally worried that our people are behaving as if the virus has been wiped away." 

Limpopo experienced cluster outbreaks during the third wave of the pandemic, especially at mines and old age homes.

It was against this background that Ramathuba warned about further cluster outbreaks and vaccine hesitancy.

She said a team of health workers has been dispatched to the mine to screen and test the mineworkers and all other staff.