Covid found in wastewater in the Bass Coast

Covid has been detected in wastewater in the Bass Coast after six Phillip Island visitors tested positive to the virus.

Covid has been detected in wastewater in the Bass Coast after six friends who visited several businesses in Phillip Island tested positive to the virus.

Covid testing commander Jeroen Weimar said all men part of the group that travelled to Phillip Island and San Remo from July 12 to July 15 have contracted the virus.

Two household contacts of these men have also tested positive.

Mr Weimar said fortunately the virus has not spread out to the wider community yet but it had been detected in wastewater.

“I should point out we have had some wastewater detects in Phillip Island,” he said.

“I would encourage again that the Phillip Island community, if they have any concerns or been to numerous exposure sites … to come forward and get tested.”

Bass Coast Health said they were advised by the Department of Health of an “unexpected” detection of Covid viral fragments in wastewater samples between July 17 and July 19 in the Bass Coast.

The suburbs of concern are Bass, Cape Woolamai, Corinella, Coronet Bay, Cowes, Dalyston, Grantville, Kilcunda, Newhaven, Pioneer Bay, Rhyll, San Remo, Silverleaves, Smiths Beach, Sunderland Bay, Sunset Strip, Surf Beach, Tenby Point, Ventnor and Wimbledon Heights.

“The unexpected detections may be due to someone who has had Covid, is no longer infectious and is continuing to ‘shed’ the virus – or it may be due to an active but undiagnosed infectious case who is either currently isolating or is in the community,” they said.

Anyone in the affected suburbs is urged to monitor for symptoms and get tested only if any symptoms develop or if you are required to get tested because you have been to an exposure site.

There are 805 primary close contacts associated with the outbreak with some on the island.

60 per cent have returned a negative test result.

Two of the positive cases were close contacts to a man who tested positive after going to the MCG.

There have been no active Covid cases in the Bass Coast since August last year.

More than 20 businesses have been named as exposure sites including Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, A Maze N Things Theme Park, North Pier Hotel, Coles Cowes, Woolworths Cowes, Vinnies Cowes and Subway Cowes.

Phillip Island Ten Pin Bowling and Entertainment owner Craig Holmes told The Bass Coast News he was shocked when he found out a positive case attended his business.

“The first thing I did when we were contacted was call my staff, make them aware of it and asked them to get tested immediately,” he said.

Mr Holmes said three staff members who were working on July 14 have been tested and returned a negative result.

The bowling centre will remain closed with Mr Holmes unsure when it would reopen as there was limited staff available now that three employees were in quarantine.

Residents can get tested at Bass Recreation Reserve, Wonthaggi Hospital Drive-Through, Cowes Transit Station Drive-Through, San Remo Recreation Centre and Leongatha Hospital.

Wonthaggi Medical Group Respiratory Clinic are also opened for carers, people with special needs or those that don’t have a car.

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