Alert to millions of Australians as fragments of the Coronavirus have been found lurking in sewage from 39 suburbs
- Sydney residents are urged to get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19
- Bits of the virus were detected at a wastewater treatment plant in Liverpool
- Authorities frequently issue warnings to screen residents of NSW
- New South Wales reported no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday
Millions of Australians are being urged to be vigilant about coronavirus symptoms after bits of the virus were found in sewage from 39 Sydney suburbs.
Bits of the virus were discovered at a sewage treatment plant in Liverpool prompting NSW Health to push Southwest Sydney residents to take the test.
A SARS-CoV-2 spokesperson said the sewage may reflect the presence of known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in recent weeks in the area served by a wastewater treatment plant.
Bits of the virus were discovered at a sewage treatment plant in Liverpool prompting NSW Health to push Southwest Sydney residents to take the test on Wednesday
Nurses prepare to take COVID-19 tests at Bondi Beach Test Clinic in November
However, NSW Health is concerned that there may be other active conditions in the community in people who have not been tested and who may falsely assume that their symptoms are just a cold.
Authorities are constantly issuing warnings to people who will be tested even though there are no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in NSW.
It is feared that the virus may be transmitted through undetected people.
NSW Health said 13,970 people had been tested for COVID-19 in the 24 hours through 8 p.m. Tuesday, compared to just 6,040 in the past 24 hours.
“While the numbers have increased since yesterday, there are still very few people being tested,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
We will likely miss cases if there is a delay in testing. Please apply for testing right away even with the mildest symptoms.
“Don’t wait to see if your runny nose or sore throat goes away.”
Wednesday was the fifth consecutive day that COVID-19 is not locally transmitted in NSW, while two cases have been reported for returning overseas travelers.
On Tuesday, NSW Health said there were not enough people screened, and warned that with restrictions eased and borders reopened, it was not the time for complacency.
Millions of Australians are being urged to get tested for coronavirus immediately after bits of it were found in sewage from 39 Sydney suburbs. Pictured: a Liverpool wastewater treatment plant
NSW Health said 13,970 people took a COVID-19 test in the 24 hours through 8 p.m. Tuesday, compared to just 6,040 in the past 24 hours.
“The experience has shown us how easily the virus can spread through society if we take care,” she said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gladys Prejiclian ignored concerns about the revelation of another breach of quarantine in July when a man from the United States avoided quarantining a hotel in Sydney before traveling to Melbourne.
Ms Berejiklian said the workers dealing with returning travelers did a great job, but there was “without doubt human error that could play a role, it’s not a foolproof system”.
It is the fifth day in a row with no domestic transmission of COVID-19 in NSW, while two cases have been reported for returning overseas travelers.
“Even when people are really good at what they’re doing… mistakes can still happen,” she told Sky News.
I think we managed it very well. We have received at least 100,000 Australians through the quarantine system … New South Wales is doing the heavy lifting for the nation. “
I can’t even promise that there will be no more mistakes in the future. It is a risk.
Investigations are continuing into the source of the recent COVID-19 case of a woman working as a cleaner at a quarantine hotel in Sydney.
Their close contacts are still being tested and no further positive results have been identified.
Ads
