29/01/2021
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Coronavirus fragments found in wastewater at Hamilton, Gisborne and Leongatha in regional Victoria
Posted 6hhours ago, updated 53mminutes ago
A hand pouring wastewater into a beaker
Viral fragments have been detected in wastewater samples taken from Gisborne, Hamilton and Leongatha.(ABC News, File Photo)
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Residents of three regional Victorian towns have been asked to get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms after fragments of the virus were detected in wastewater samples.
Key points:
Detecting viral fragments was "unexpected" but could be the result of shedding, DHHS says
Health authorities regularly check wastewater samples from 95 sites across Victoria
Victoria has recorded 23 consecutive days with no locally-acquired infections
The viral fragments were detected in samples recently taken from Hamilton in the state's south-west, Gisborne in the Macedon Ranges north-west of Melbourne, and Leongatha in South Gippsland.
"Anyone who lives in or has visited Gisborne from January 24 to 26, Hamilton from January 25 to 27 or Leongatha from January 17 to 19, is urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild," Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said in a statement.
"Initial testing of wastewater taken from the influent to the Leongatha wastewater treatment plant on January 19 showed a weak result which has now been confirmed with independent testing.
"The detection of viral fragments was unexpected given there had been no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in these communities at the time — but it can take several weeks for someone to stop shedding the virus."
LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victoria's last locally-acquired coronavirus infection was detected 23 days ago, and there are currently no active cases outside hotel quarantine.
Coronavirus fragments getting detected in wastewater does not necessarily mean an active case has been in the area, as they could have come from someone who has recovered but is still shedding remnants of the virus.
DHHS has said wastewater test results can act as an early warning sign in case there are positive coronavirus cases.
Health authorities regularly check wastewater samples from 95 sites across the state, including 70 wastewater treatment plants.
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The program was recently expanded to include wastewater treatment plants in Bright, Cann River, Drouin, Inverloch, Korumburra, Lakes Entrance, Leongatha, Mallacoota, Mount Beauty, Robinvale and Yarrawonga.
One positive case was detected in Leongatha at the start of the month. The person was a close contact in the Mitcham-Mentone cluster that was traced back to a restaurant dinner in Black Rock.
The last time DHHS reported finding viral fragments through its wastewater monitoring program was on January 1, from samples taken at Lakes Entrance in the Gippsland region.
No coronavirus cases were detected in the Lakes Entrance region after those fragments were detected.
Victoria today announced its state of emergency will be extended for another month due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The state of emergency is what allows the Chief Health Officer to make legally-enforceable directions, such as mandating hotel quarantine for international arrivals or setting density limits in large venues.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
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Posted 6hhours ago, updated 53mminutes ago
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