NSW Health detects new COVID-19 fragments Newcastle area sewage networks

Some 225,000 residents in one state have been told to monitor for symptoms after a worrying discovery by health officials.

More than 225,000 people in the Newcastle area have been urged to monitor for potential symptoms of COVID-19 after fragments of the virus were found in a wastewater treatment plant.

A sample taken on April 21 showed fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the sewage system at Burwood Beach Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Burwood Beach catchment services about 225,000 people and takes in the Newcastle City area.

It also services Dudley, Charlestown, Jesmond, Lambton, New Lambton, Mayfield, Elermore Vale, Wallsend, Kotara, Garden Suburb, Adamstown Heights, Kahibah, Highfields, Merewether, Waratah West, Georgetown and Carrington.

NSW Health officials are concerned because it is not clear whether there are cases in the community or whether the fragments are from historical cases.

Covid has been detected in sewage in the Newcastle area. Picture: Peter Lorimer

A Sydney Water staffer tests wastewater samples for signs of COVID-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“These positive sewage results may indicate the presence of people who have recently recovered from COVID-19, as they can continue to shed fragments of the virus for several weeks after recovery,” NSW Health said in a release.

Residents in greater Newcastle should monitor for symptoms and get tested if any develop.

It comes after news on Saturday that COVID-19 was detected in sewage systems at Allambie Heights (sampled April 22), on Sydney’s northern beaches, as well as Merimbula (April 21) on the state’s far south coast.

The Allambie Heights sewage network serves about 83,400 people in the Northern Head catchment and the Merimbula sewage treatment plant serves about 15,000 residents.

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases overnight while one new case was recorded by an overseas traveller.

Meanwhile, residents in Perth and the Peel region are on their second day of a three-day snap lockdown as the city deals with a COVID-19 outbreak.

People who have arrived in Sydney from Western Australia since 12.01am on Saturday must complete a declaration which confirms they have not attended a venue of concern.

If you have attended any of the close or casual contact venues and you are already in NSW, you should immediately self-isolate and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.