Viral fragments of Covid found in sewage on Cairns’ northern beaches

Traces of Covid-19 have been unexpectedly detected in wastewater on Cairns’ northside, health authorities have confirmed. Anyone with symptoms is urged to get tested.

TRACES of Covid-19 have been unexpectedly detected in wastewater in Cairns, health authorities have confirmed.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has advised viral fragments were found during testing of sewage at the Marlin Coast Wastewater Treatment Plant on November 2.

The plant covers the following suburbs: Barron, Caravonica, Clifton Beach, Kamerunga, Kewarra Beach, Macalister Range, Palm Cove, Smithfield, Trinity Beach, Trinity Park, Yorkeys Knob.

The CHHHS has urged anyone in those suburbs who have any symptoms of the virus to get tested immediately.

The CHHHS is hosting these pop-up vaccine clinics in the Far North.

It comes as Queensland recorded three new Covid cases overnight and a list of exposure sites was released.

“Testing rates in our region are currently very low which means it is unlikely that we will pick up on cases early,” the CHHHS said.

“Wastewater detections can be an early indicator of Covid-19 disease in our community. “That’s why it’s so important that you get tested if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 – no matter how mild.”

The CHHHS is hosting a number of pop-up vaccine clinics across the Far North this weekend to ensure residents have easy access to the Covid jab.

According to the latest figures, 65.6 per cent of Cairns residents are fully vaccinated against the virus, while 77.5 per cent have had one dose.

Traces of the Covid-19 were last detected in Cairns wastewater in mid October, when fragments were found at the Cairns North plant.

Originally published as Viral fragments of Covid found in sewage on Cairns’ northern beaches