Second Anglesea wastewater sample found to contain coronavirus fragments
Another wastewater sample has been found to contain viral fragments of coronavirus, and authorities believe a resident, rather than a visitor, is responsible.
Geelong
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A SECOND Anglesea wastewater sample has been found to contain viral fragments of coronavirus, and authorities believe a resident, rather than a visitor, is responsible.
The Department of Health and Human Services revealed the first positive sample on Wednesday, and the second on Thursday.
The Surf Coast has been free of known active cases for several weeks.
“Because they’re two different tests over different days, it’s likely that it’s not someone that’s just passing through Anglesea, it’s likely to be a resident,” Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said.
“This could mean that there is someone with active infection in Anglesea, but also could mean that it’s someone who has recovered from infection, that is in Anglesea,” Prof Cheng said.
People who have previously been infected can continue to “shed” the virus, and it
can take several weeks for someone to stop shedding.
Prof Cheng said there had been a “great response” from Anglesea locals after the first positive wastewater sample was revealed.
Prof Cheng said almost 3 per cent of the township had been tested on Wednesday.
A pop-up testing clinic will be open at Anglesea Memorial Hall from 10am to 6pm daily until at least Sunday, and no appointment is required.
By late Thursday, Barwon Health infectious diseases specialist Associate Professor Daniel O’Brien said more than 120 people had been tested at the site, with no positive cases identified so far.
“As with every community, we ask that anyone with symptoms promptly attends their closest testing clinic to help us proactively respond to any potential COVID-19 clusters or spikes,” Prof O’Brien said.
There was just one known active coronavirus case reported for the G21 region on Thursday.
Colac Otway remained at one active case, while Greater Geelong, Golden Plains, the Borough of Queenscliffe and the Surf Coast were steady with none.
Fifteen new cases and two additional deaths were reported for Victoria.
The state’s coronavirus death toll stood at 800.
Meanwhile, the state government announced it was doubling an assistance payment for those experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The government has commissioned the Red Cross to provide financial assistance, information and referrals to those doing it tough during the pandemic who are not eligible for Commonwealth support or the International Student Emergency Relief Fund.
People living in Victoria with limited income or savings who are on temporary or provisional visas and undocumented migrants are now able to apply for a payment of up to $800 per person – helping them out with living expenses while things are tough.
Those who have already received a payment under the program will be eligible for a $400 top up on their original payment.
Originally published as Second Anglesea wastewater sample found to contain coronavirus fragments