COVID warning after Bathurst 1000

An urgent warning has been issued for anyone who attended the Bathurst 1000 after coronavirus traces were found in the city’s wastewater.

A wastewater test at Bathurst has uncovered traces of coronavirus. Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Just days after thousands of spectators, drivers and crew members flooded a regional city in NSW for the Bathurst 1000, an urgent COVID warning has been issued.

A NSW Health spokesman urged anyone who attended the race or who lives in Bathurst, about a three-hour drive from Sydney, to get tested and isolate immediately if they experience symptoms, after traces of coronavirus were found in the town’s sewage.

The sample was taken from wastewater collected over the past weekend, and the positive result could have been caused by a current or a previous infection in someone who attended or worked at the Bathurst 1000, a visitor to the city, or even a local resident.

Thousands of spectators flooded Bathurst for the annual four-day car race at Mount Panorama last weekend, sparking fears of a widespread outbreak. Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

“Visitors to and residents of Bathurst must be aware of any symptoms of illness, and immediately isolate and get tested should even the mildest of symptoms appear that you think might just be a cold,” the spokesman said.

“Symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, tiredness, fever or other symptoms could be COVID-19.

“After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received.”

In a desperate bid to find the source of the positive test, contact tracers are urgently undertaking investigations, which include going over lists of every person known to have had the virus at any point who attended or worked at the race.

The four-day race drew barely 10 per cent of its usual audience this year due to COVID restrictions, but 4,000 reserved seats were still available each day for racing fans.

This number does not include drivers or their racing teams and crew.

The race was allowed 4000 spectators in seats per day, but this number does not include drivers, racing teams or crew. Picture: Tim Hunter.

In a separate announcement earlier on Monday night, NSW Health issued health alerts for three venues in southeast Sydney, and claimed a recent positive case could be linked to a person who was infected with the virus in September, but didn’t know.

Anyone at the following venues is urged to monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they arise, or if they were experienced at all over the past few weeks.

After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received.

Souths’ Juniors Club, Anzac Parade Kingsford, in the poker machine room or the high roller room at any time between Saturday September 26 and Saturday October 2.

Century 21 Dixon Real Estate, Anzac Parade Kingsford, at any time between Saturday September 26 and Friday October 9, inclusive.

The Shed cafe Royal Randwick Shopping Centre on Saturday October 3 between 3pm and 5pm.

Originally published as COVID warning after Bathurst 1000