Covid-19 traces found in Coffs Harbour, Bonny Hills sewage samples

NSW Health issues alert as samples taken from two treatment plants on Monday showed traces of the virus. Efforts will now be made to bolster Covid testing rates in the areas of concern.

NSW Health is urging residents on the Mid North Coast to get tested for Covid-19 after fragments of the virus were detected in sewage samples taken from Coffs Harbour and Bonny Hills.

Mid North Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick said while there were no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the region, at the first sign of symptoms residents should get tested.

“Testing sewage can help provide early warning of undetected infections in an area. In this instance, where there are no known cases of Covid-19 this is of particular concern,” he said.

“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.”

The carpark at C.ex Stadium is filled with vehicles queuing at the drive-through Covid testing clinic in Coffs Harbour in July. Photo: Tim Jarrett

The samples containing fragments of the virus were taken from the Bonny Hills and Coffs Harbour sewage treatment plants which serve a combined total of more than 64,000 residents.

Mr Dowrick said efforts to increase testing rates will now be bolstered at Bonny Hills, in line with what has already been implemented at Coffs Harbour.

“We will be looking at identifying a location at the Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills area to increase testing there,” he said.

“We just ask the communities of the Mid-North Coast to please continue to work with us.

“If you are feeling unwell or showing signs and symptoms, please get tested.”

Mr Dowrick also encouraged people to make an appointment with their general practitioners to enquire about vaccination eligibility.

“I would really encourage people to go to your general practitioner, we have up to 25 general practitioners or centres in the region who are still offering the Pfizer and other vaccines.

“Most of the vaccinations that are occurring in this region have been undertaken by the general practitioners. Very soon we will have pharmacists offering AstraZeneca and other vaccinations as well.”

News of the sewage positives comes just weeks after a positive Covid-19 case visited a Coffs Harbour pub, forcing a number of close contacts into isolation.

The Coffs Coast Advocate later revealed the same person visited the The Shoreline development which was then shut down as NSW Health staff carried out on-site testing of workers.

By the time the mandatory 14-day isolation period ended last week, more than 8,400 tests had been carried out across the local health district.