Covid fragments detected in Byron sewerage as government ends surveillance

People urged to get Covid tests as fragments detected during surveillance of sewerage.

Tougher QLD border control will come into place at 1am on Saturday. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Byron Shire mayor has called for people to get tested after Covid-19 fragments were found in the town’s sewerage this week.

“This is concerning, and people need to keep fronting up for testing so we can continue to get a clear picture on the state of play in the region,” mayor Michael Lyon said.

Testing centres are open across the weekend at the Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Road at Byron Bay and the Byron Central Hospital.

“I am so pleased that there have been no new cases of ovid-19, not just in the Byron Shire, but the Northern Rivers, we all know that this can change very fast,” Cr Lyon said.

Byron Shire will remain in lockdown until at least August 28 as outlined in the NSW Government’s public health orders.

“Noting that Greater Sydney is in lockdown until the end of September, the best we can do as a community is to keep to the rules relating to mask-wearing, making sure we use a QR code, complying with the rules relating to leaving the home and of course to get tested if not well,” Cr Lyon, said.

“Our quickest way out of lockdown is to show there is no Covid across the Northern Rivers.

“While there are changes to some council services such as closure of the waste facility at Myocom, I am pleased to report that our staff are still working and getting on with fixing the roads and other essential services such as water and sewer.

“Like other councils in northern NSW Byron Shire Council is working through the impacts of the strict regulations imposed at the Queensland border but I assure residents there will be no impact on the essential services we provide,” Mayor Lyon said.

Information about COVID-19 is available on the council’s website.

The urgent call out by NSW Health for more testing after Covid fragments were found in sewerage at Byron Bay comes on the back of a decision to cease surveillance testing in Sydney.

Fragments of Covid-19 have been found in the Byron Bay area, prompting urgent calls for people to get tested.

Lynne Weir, acting chief executive Northern NSW Local Health District, said fragments

of the virus that causes Covid-19 were detected in the Byron Bay sewage treatment plant in a sample collected on August 17.

The Byron Bay sewage treatment plant serves approximately 19,000 people in the Broken Head, Suffolk Park, Byron Bay, Wategos, and Sunrise areas.

There were no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in residents of Northern NSW Local

Health District.

A positive detection was also found at the Yamba treatment plant sampled on

August 17, while samples taken at the Ballina and Lennox Head sites on August 17 did

not detect virus fragments.

“Sewage testing was an additional surveillance tool which can help provide early

warning of undetected infections. Detections can also be due to shedding of the virus

by someone who may have previously had the illness and may no longer be

infectious, or from someone who has since left the area,” Ms Weir said.

“Vaccinations for Covid-19 do not cause shedding of the virus into sewage or other

measures as they do not contain live virus.

“We strongly encourage residents and visitors in the area to remain vigilant and get

tested at the first sign of illness, then self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include a runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, cough,

fever, shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhoea or muscle aches.

Testing clinics in the Byron Bay region are:

• Byron Bay Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology. 1 Byron Street, Byron Bay. Open

Monday to Friday 7am – 4pm. No appointment required.

• Byron Bay QML Pathology Drive through clinic. Cavanbah Sports Centre, 249

Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay. Open seven days 8am – 3pm. No appointment

required.

• Byron Central Hospital. 54 Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay. Open seven days 9am –

5pm. No appointment required.

• Ocean Shores Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology. Ocean Shores Shopping Village,

84 Rajah Road, Ocean Shores. Open Monday to Friday 7.30am – 3.30pm.

• Mullumbimby Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology. 125 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby.

Open Monday to Friday 7am – 3pm.

To find your nearest testing clinic, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Testing figures from the last three days show there were nearly 3000 people tested at

the four hospitals and some of the drive through clinics across Northern NSW from

Tuesday August 15 to Wednesday August 19.

“I thank the community for coming forward for testing but we need to remain vigilant

and if you have any symptoms even mild please do not wait to be tested,” Ms Weir said.

The rules for crossing the QLD border from 1am on Saturday were “crystal clear”, QLD authorities said, and anyone wanting to cross should be ready to prove their eligibility.

The list of people who were allowed to cross the border was narrow, and QLD Police said they would be taking a “very rigid approach”, intercepting 100 per cent of people approaching the border.

“Near enough isn’t good enough,” Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewsk warned, saying only people who could clearly demonstrate their eligibility could cross.

QLD chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young said new rules came into place at 1am on Saturday, stating essential workers who were permitted to cross the QLD border needed to have had one dose of Covid vaccine.

Dr Young said QLD clinics were helping to ensure those eligible essential workers were vaccinated.

From Wednesday August 15, 120 personnel from the army, RAAF, and navy will help bolster police patrols of the QLD/NSW border.

Yesterday, 8425 vehicles were intercepted trying to enter QLD.

Of those, 225 were turned away as they did not meet the criteria to cross.

One person was charged after drugs were allegedly found inside the Mercedes van he was travelling in.

Deputy Commissioner Gollschewsk said during border control period, police had periodically encountered people continuing to break the law.

“It’s probably not the smartest thing to do when you have a large police presence,” he said.

“He wasn’t successful.”

People on the Northern Rivers who are now facing an extended lockdown, have been told there was a clear pathway to gaining more freedom – getting vaccinated, getting tested, and obeying the public health orders were part of that plan, as was no new Covid cases.

One measure being take by local councils to detect Covid in the community was sewerage testing.

South Lismore, Lennox Head, and Yamba Sewerage Treatment plants have all detected Covid fragments since lockdown began on Monday August 9.

The lockdown was triggered when a Sydney man tested positive to Covid after visiting the Northern Rivers.

Richmond Valley Council said it was also collecting samples for testing.

“This is being undertaken by our hardworking water-sewer team in accordance with NSW Health’s Sewage Surveillance Program requirements,” the council said.

“The samples have yet to be tested, which is why Richmond Valley is not listed on the NSW Government’s website. If there is an issue NSW Health will inform us, and we will update this post.

“We all have a part to play in helping stop the spread of Covid-19 in our community. Stay home, get tested and follow the Covid measures. Everyone’s actions make a difference. Find out what you need to do at www.nsw.gov.au,” the council said.