Southwest Sydney: COVID-19 found in sewage samples
NSW Health has placed residents in suburbs across Sydney’s south west on high alert after COVID-19 fragments were found in local sewage samples. FULL LOCATIONS, TIMES, AND DATES.
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Residents of Leppington, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville and Denham Court have been asked by NSW Health to get tested for COVID-19 after the virus was found in local sewage.
The state’s sewage surveillance program found remnants of COVID-19 in samples from a local sewage pumping station, which drains from these suburbs, on November 4.
The discovery of the virus in local sewage is a potential indicator that residents in the local area have contracted the virus, but have not yet been tested and/or formally diagnosed.
A statement from NSW Health asked residents to get tested even if they have “the mildest COVID-19 symptoms”.
“Symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, tiredness, fever or loss of taste or smell can all signal COVID-19,” the statement read.
Locals can get tested nearby at drive-through clinics in Prestons, Leppington and Gledswood Hills, a pop-up clinic in Oran Park, or Ingleburn Laverty Pathology.
Sewage testing for molecular markers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID‑19, started in July.
There is no evidence COVID-19 is transmitted via wastewater systems.
No new cases of COVID-19 were reported in NSW yesterday (November 5), however three new locally acquired cases were announced earlier in the week.
These cases are linked to the Hoxton Park cluster, which now totals 10 cases:
- Two cases – a child and an adult – attended Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park and are household contacts of a previously reported case who also attended the park. Both were already in isolation, having been identified as close contacts.
- One child attended the Bambino’s Kindergarten Horningsea Park, where a previously reported case also attended. The child had already been in isolation, having been identified as a close contact.
Health authorities have also confirmed a previously reported case travelled on train services between the Sydney CBD and Fairfield in late October.
Dates and times include:
- Fairfield Train Station to Central Train Station, Tuesday, 27 October, 11.38am – 12.40pm
- Central Train Station to Fairfield Train Station, Tuesday, 27 October, 2.33pm – 3.23pm
Passengers on the train at this time are considered casual contacts and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received.
A person confirmed as having COVID-19 also visited Westfield Liverpool on Wednesday 28 October, between 11.30am and 2pm, and 4pm and 4.40pm. Anyone who visited the centre at this time is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received.
The community is reminded that anyone who attended a number of classes, or was present at the same time, at the F45 gym in Leppington between Thursday 15 October 2020 to Wednesday 28 October is considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for a full 14 days from exposure, regardless of the result.
NSW Health is calling on the community to come forward for testing when they experience even the mildest symptoms, such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, or fever, which could signal a COVID-19 infection.
This particularly applies to residents in:
- Leppington
- Catherine Field
- Gledswood Hill
- Varroville
- Denham Court
- West Hoxton
- Hoxton Park
- Middleton Grange
- Horningsea Park
- Carnes Hill
- Edmondson Park
- Prestons
- Busby
- Miller
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, NSW Health recommends the following:
- If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.
- Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
- Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
- Wear a mask when using public transport, rideshares and taxis, and in shops, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. When taking taxis or rideshares, commuters should also sit in the back.
There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW.
COVID-19 testing clinics can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics, or call your GP.