Covid fragments found in Cairns wastewater months after lockdown

A Cairns doctor says the detection of viral Covid-19 fragments in the city’s wastewater could offer an early warning of new community transmission in the region. Residents in more than 10 suburbs have been urged to look for symptoms.

UPDATE: A Cairns public health unit doctor has expressed concern that the latest viral fragment detection discovered in the city’s wastewater could be an early warning sign of new Covid-19 community transmission.

Dr Annie Preston-Thomas of the Cairns Public Health Unit said the previous instance of viral fragment detection came days ahead of the snap three-day lockdown in August, when a Covid positive taxi driver was infections in the community for 10 days.

“(The detection) heralded the last two cases of community acquired Covid-19 that we had in the community and it led to a three-day lockdown in Cairns and Yarrabah local government areas,” she said.

“So, this is a reminder – this could be our early warning this time around.

“It is definitely a concern, although it’s hard to say if it actually represents an infectious person in the community, or somebody who’s recovered and is still just shedding those viral fragments.”

Following the sewage detection on October 12 Dr Preston-Thomas said it was important that the Cairns community kept practising social distancing and good hand hygiene.

“And I think the important thing is that vaccination is going to be one of the critical things that protects our community,” she said.

Dr Preston-Thomas said it was possible the source of the detection was the Pacific Hotel which has been used a quarantine hotel.

She confirmed there were no virus fragments contained in Covid-19 vaccines.

“The vaccines help your body to develop an immune response to the virus; the vaccines don’t contain the virus itself,” she said.

FILE PHOTO: Cairns residents queue for Covid-19 testing. Picture: Brendan Radke

EARLIER: Viral fragments of Covid-19 have been detected in the city’s wastewater, the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has confirmed.

The fragments were found in sewage during routine testing at the Cairns North wastewater treatment plant on October 12.

The CHHHS says the fragments could either indicate the presence of an undiagnosed case of Covid-19 in the community or that a case who is no longer infectious is still shedding fragments of the virus.

“It could have also originated from one of our quarantine hotels during this period,” the CHHHS said in a statement.

It is the first positive wastewater detection in Cairns since the city was in lockdown in early August.

Anyone in the following suburbs, which are wholly or partially serviced by the Cairns North plant, are encouraged to get tested if they have any Covid symptoms: Brinsmead, Edge Hill, Cairns North, Parramatta Park, Cairns City, Portsmith, Holloways, Machans Beach, and suburbs in between including Redlynch and Kamerunga.

Kelly Pollock from the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. Picture: Chris Calcino

“The results are a reminder for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 to get tested immediately,” the CHHHS said.

Meanwhile, Far Northerners will have a chance to get the Covid vaccine at two Bunnings pop-up clinics this weekend.

Smithfield and Atherton stores will host clinics from 8am-noon on Saturday and anyone over the age of 12 is eligible.

CHHHS COVID-19 program director Kelly Pollock said the health service wanted to target people where they lived, worked and played.

“Going to the hardware store on Saturday mornings is a ritual for many people,” she said.

A pop-up clinic will also be held at the Cairns Pride Festival Fair Day at Tanks Arts Centre on Sunday.

As of October 11, more than 70 per cent of Cairns had received their first Covid vaccine dose, while 56.7 per cent were fully vaccinated.

Originally published as Covid fragments found in Cairns wastewater months after lockdown