COVID fragments have been found in a sample of Bathurst sewage for a second time this week, the Western NSW Local Health District says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fragments were found in a sewage sample taken in Bathurst on Monday, August 9.
It was thought those fragments may have been associated with a prisoner bailed from Bathurst Correctional Centre on Monday who was later found to have tested positive to COVID.
He travelled from the jail straight to Walgett, the health district understands.
In an update on Friday morning, though, the health district said COVID virus fragments were detected in a Bathurst sewage sample taken on Wednesday, August 11 - well after the bailed prisoner had left the city.
The health district said, however, there are no known cases of COVID in Bathurst despite 390 new cases being recorded across NSW.
Residents in Bathurst have been urged to come forward for testing.
Virus fragments were also detected in samples taken from the Dubbo and Parkes sewage treatment plants on Wednesday, August 11 and from samples taken at Bourke on Tuesday, August 10.
"As it stands, the sewage detections are unable to be traced to individuals, but with known cases of COVID-19 in the district already, we must increase our efforts and vigilance to ensure our communities' safety," health district chief executive officer Scott McLachlan said.
He said capacity has been increased at the drive-through testing site at Mount Panorama, which is open from 8am to 4pm.
The health district said there were 10 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the Western NSW Local Health District up to 8pm on Thursday, August 12.
Eight are located in Dubbo and two in Walgett.
That brings to 16 the number of confirmed COVID cases being managed in the district.
The health district says the detection of virus fragments in sewage can also be due to shedding of the virus by someone who may have previously had the illness and may no longer be infectious.
It can also be the result of a person with COVID-19 who may have visited the community and has since left the area.
As well as being present in stools, viral fragments can enter the sewer when washed off hands and bodies through sinks and showers.
Usual sewage treatment processes inactivate, or kill, the COVID-19 virus.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
