Those in Sydney’s north-west are being urged to get tested for COVID-19 after the state’s sewage surveillance program found traces of the virus in a Riverston sewage treatment plant.
“Fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in samples taken on Sunday, November 29 from the sewerage system that drains parts of Riverstone, Vineyard, Marsden Park, Shanes Park, Quakers Hill, Oakville, Box Hill, The Ponds, Rouse Hill, Nelson, Schofields and Colebee,” a statement from NSW Health alert read.
NSW Health is calling on people in Sydney’s north-west to get tested if they have even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms, after the state’s sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus at a sewage treatment plant in Riverstone.Credit:Steven Siewert
While detection of the virus in sewage samples could reflect the presence of cases diagnosed in recent weeks, NSW Health is concerned there could be other active cases in the local community in people who have not been tested and who might incorrectly assume their symptoms are just a cold.