Covid-19 traces have been detected in Yamba sewage

Clarence Valley Council boss Ashley Lindsay says it is difficult to determine how long Covid-19 had been in a coastal town before it was detected through sewage testing.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirms covid detection in Yamba, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Clarence Valley Council general manager Ashley Lindsay says it was only a matter of time until Covid would return to the region after testing showed fragments had been detected in wastewater.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant announced at a press conference on Wednesday morning that the Yamba sewage treatment plant had found traces of the deadly virus.

“It was going to get to us eventually and Yamba being a tourist location with lots of people passing through adds to the likelihood of it being in the community,” Mr Lindsay said.

“We’re also looking at a pretty contagious strain of the virus so it’s to be expected that it would arrive here at some stage.”

The Clarence Valley hasn’t had a positive Covid case since early 2020.

Of the eight positive cases in April last year, two were identified as residents from the Yamba area.

Mr Lindsay said the positive result arose from testing carried out by NSW Health’s sewage surveillance program on Monday.

“We’ve tested again this morning and that’s already been sent off for analysis,” he said.

“As for the positive result, which came from testing done on Monday, I understand it’s not that significant an amount and is quite minor, much like Lennox Head when they found traces.

“Sewage obviously takes a while to get from the home to the treatment plant so it’s difficult to determine whether or not the person that might have Covid might be long gone; we’re just not sure how long it’s been in our community.”

Mr Lindsay said plans were in motion to set up a drive-through testing clinic in Yamba.

“It should be up and running hopefully by the end of the week, but in the meantime, I encourage anyone out there who is feeling unwell or has even minor symptoms to get tested,” he said.

Less than 30 per cent of the 5872 Yamba residents who are eligible to receive a Covid vaccination, are fully vaccinated, while between 50-59 per cent have received their first dose.

Comparatively, less than 20 per cent of the 24,000 people living in the 2460 Clarence Valley postcode have been fully vaccinated.