Details on follow-up testing of Northern Rivers sewage have been released after a Covid scare

All Byron Shire facilities and more in the Tweed Shire have been tested in an expedited fashion after concerns were raised about potential for the virus being undiagnosed within the community.

A QML Pathology drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic was set up at the Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Road, in Byron Bay, after fragments of the virus were detected through the sewerage monitoring program. Friday, July 23, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

Further testing of sewage on the Northern Rivers has been conducted after a Covid scare in the Byron Bay area.

But authorities remain alarmed by the revelation a man was on board a flight from Sydney to Ballina, then travelled to Queensland, while positive for Covid-19.

A drive-through testing clinic was established at Byron’s Cavanbah Centre after fragments of the virus that causes Covid-19 were found through the NSW Health sewage monitoring program.

The fragments were found in a sample from the Byron Bay Sewerage Treatment Plant, which services about 19,000 people in the Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Broken Head, Wategos and Sunrise areas.

Northern NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Lynne Weir said more tests had been undertaken.

“Further sewage testing has been conducted in the local area, following detection of

fragments of the Covid-19 virus in sewage samples taken from the Byron Bay sewage

treatment plant on 20 July 2021,” Ms Weir said.

“Sewage tests conducted on Friday, July 23 at the Ocean Shores, Byron Bay, Brunswick

Valley and Bangalow treatment plants have all returned negative results.

“Samples collected on July 22 at the Kingscliff, Banora Point, Murwillumbah and

Hastings Point treatment plants were also negative.

“NSW’s sewage surveillance plan is being reviewed daily in accordance with needs

across the state.

“At present, the Byron Bay Treatment plant will be tested daily until

further notice, while other North Coast sites will continue being tested weekly.”

She said there were currently no confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the Northern NSW Local

Health District, although a positive case travelled through the area from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to Queensland on July 14.

Ms Weir has meanwhile reiterated a plea for people to be extra vigilant.

“NSW Health is urging residents and visitors to northern NSW to monitor their health for any COVID-19 symptoms and come forward immediately if they feel at all unwell,” she said.

“A public health alert has been issued after a positive COVID-19 case travelled on the

Virgin Australia flight VA1139 from Sydney, arriving in Ballina on 14 July at 11.45am.

“It is believed this person then travelled by private car to Queensland.

“All passengers and cabin crew who were on this flight are considered as close contacts

and must get tested and isolate for 14 days from the date of exposure, regardless of

the result of the test. NSW Health has received the flight manifest and has contacted

all passengers.”

She said others who were at the airport terminal between 11.45am and 12 noon on Wednesday, July 14 should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a

negative result.

“The traveller was originally tested on July 12 following identification of a workplace

exposure,” she said.

“Advice received by NSW Health indicates his positive test result was mistakenly reported to him by the private lab as a negative result after arriving in Queensland.

“He was required to isolate while awaiting his test results.

“Following whole genome sequencing, which is routinely performed on all positive test results, NSW Health was alerted on 20 July that this person was in fact positive for Covid-19.”

It is understood he falsely claimed to have been isolating since July 10 when he was contacted by NSW Health.

“NSW Health is now concerned he was potentially infectious in the community in Sydney, on the flight to Ballina, in the airport terminal and in Queensland,” Ms Weir said.

“NSW Health is working with Queensland Health to investigate this person’s movements and venues that he attended and take appropriate public health actions.

“The matter has been referred to NSW Police.

“This incident highlights the importance of following the public health advice and orders, particularly if you are identified as a close contact, and the risks that can arise if people breach the isolation rules put in place to protect the community and reduce the risk of further spread of COVID-19.”