13 mine workers in Limpopo test positive for Covid-19

Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba confirmed during a press briefing this morning (15 May) that 13 mine workers at the Marula Platinum Mine in Burgersfort tested positive for Covid-19.

“This is by far the single biggest number of positive cases in Limpopo within 24 hours. We have also recorded two new cases in Lephalale bringing the total number of positive cases in the province to 76. To date, our number of active cases stands at 36 with 37 recoveries and three deaths. The province has conducted 9 690 tests, 5 121 in the public sector and 4 569 in the private sector,” Ramathuba added.

The MEC and HOD held several virtual meetings with mine managers at Marula Platinum Mine last night and this morning and a response team from the Department of Health has been on site since last night with the mine staff to assist with the isolation, and tracking and tracing of contacts.

“Off course we anticipated that the relaxing of lockdown rules in order to open some economic activities will bring many challenges, specifically an increase in positive Covid-19 cases. It is for this reason that immediately after the announcement of the opening of mines, we made a clarion call to mine managers to take extreme precautionary measures to prevent the spread. Key among our recommendations was that upon returning to work, workers must be screened, and those who meet the criteria be tested and quarantined for at least 14 days before they can go underground. This was guided by our understanding that the mining environment is fragile and susceptible to transmissions. This is a point that we want to emphatically repeat,” the MEC said.

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement to relax some regulations as per the Disaster Management Act, the Marula Platinum Mine was proactive by inviting all its 3 300 employees to report for duty. A total of 2 700 employees who live in Limpopo reported for duty between 17 and 20 April where they were screened.  Those who met the criteria were tested and none tested positive at the time.

A further 130 employees only reported for screening on 4 May.  The mine subjected all of them to compulsory testing of which all turned out to be positive.  It is still unclear where these workers travelled from.

“We are happy that government and the Ministerial Task Team will have a virtual meeting with the mine managers. Through this meeting, we believe a clear way forward will be found on how governments and mines will work together to protect the lives of the workers. We call upon our communities to continue respecting the laws of lockdown and to take precautionary measures. Remember to wash your hands with soap, wear a mask when you go into the public spaces and observe social distancing,” the MEC concluded.

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).