Virus alert for dozens of Melbourne’s eastern, outer northern and western suburbs after wastewater detections

Thousands of households across Melbourne are on COVID-19 alert after coronavirus detections in sewer catchments.

Thousands of households across Melbourne’s eastern, outer northern and western suburbs are being urged to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 after traces of the virus were detected in nearby sewer catchments.

Dozens of Melbourne suburbs were listed as at-risk on Wednesday night, a mere 24 hours after Victoria’s health department sent out an initial wastewater alert for 18 suburbs.

The department said it was “most likely” the detections were due to a person shedding the virus after the infectious period, given the current prolonged period of no community transmission in Victoria.

But it could also be due to a person living in or travelling through the area in the early active infectious phase, health officials warned.

People who live in or have visited Melbourne’s eastern or northern suburbs – and who have or develop COVID symptoms – are strongly encouraged to get tested. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

People who live in or have visited these areas – and who have or develop COVID symptoms – are “strongly encouraged” to get tested.

Western suburbs catchment: 18-26 April

People visiting or residing in Albanvale, Burnside, Burnside Heights, Cairnlea, Caroline Springs, Deer Park, Delahey, Hillside (Melton), Keilor Downs, Kings Park, Plumpton, Ravenhall, Sydenham, Taylors Hill and Taylors Lakes.

North-western suburbs catchment: 18-26 April

People visiting or residing in Avondale Heights, Calder Park, Hillside (Melton), Kealba, Keilor, Keilor Downs, Keilor East, Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Sydenham and Taylors Lakes.

Eastern suburbs catchment: April 20-24

People visiting or residing in Balwyn, Balwyn North, Blackburn, Blackburn North, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Mitcham, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Nunawading and Templestowe Lower.

Outer northern suburbs catchment: April 17-22

People visiting or residing in Epping, South Morang and Wollert.

Victoria recorded two new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday – all returned travellers and all in hotel quarantine.

The cases were a man in his 30s and a teenage girl.

It marked the 61st day in a row where no new cases had been acquired locally in Victoria.