Traces of Covid-19 found in Woolgoolga sewage for second time

There was another confirmed Covid-19 case on the Mid North Coast while a second sewage detection in as many days has NSW Health prompts warning.

There has been a second detection of Covid-19 fragments in the Woolgoolga area.

The positive samples were taken on October 15, two days after sewage from the Woolgoolga Sewage Treatment Plant produced a similar positive test.

The sewage of around 14,000 residents at Corindi Beach, Arrawarra, Mullaway, Woolgoolga, Safety Beach and Sandy Beach finds its way to the treatment plant.

Fragments of the Covid-19 can enter sewage via an infected person’s faeces and when washed of hands and bodies via sinks and showers.

Detection of virus fragments in sewage can help provide early warning of undetected infections in an area.

However, it can also be due to shedding of the virus by someone who may have previously had the illness and may no longer be infectious.

Similarly, it can also come from from a person with Covid-19 who may have visited the area but has since left.

Despite that possibility, Mid North Coast health boss Stewart Dowrick said anyone with even the mildest of symptoms should “immediately” come forward for testing and isolate until a negative result is received.

Meanwhile, Kempsey has recorded another positive Covid-19 case.

It was the only positive case recorded in the Mid North Coast Local Health District up to 8pm on October 16.

The additional case brings the total number of cases for the Kempsey local government area to 24.