COVID-19 fragments in Cowes wastewater
Anyone with symptoms urged to get tested immediately.
Positive COVID-19 fragments have been detected in the Phillip Island wastewater.
Gippsland Regional Public Health Unit advised that viral fragments had also been detected in areas around Moe and Traralgon and all know Primary Close Contacts in the three areas have been contacted and asked to take an additional test.
Bass Coast Health and GRPHU advise anyone on Phillip Island experiencing any flu-like symptoms, however minor, to get tested. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
The Cowes drive through testing site at the Transit Centre will be open from 9am - 3pm today, Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26.
The Wonthaggi Hospital drive through site is open 9am - 5pm today and across the weekend.
Waste water testing
Previous wastewater tests undertaken in Cowes on September 14, 17 and 21 did not detected any viral fragments.
Tests were also taken at the wastewater plants in Corinella, Inverloch and Wonthaggi over that period, with only Corinella detecting fragments on September 17.
The state government's wastewater surveillance program is part of the state's Covid response. If viral fragments are detected in the wastewater in areas where there has not been recent COVID-19 cases, the health department recommends people promptly seek testing for any symptoms, and to be increasingly vigilant with Covid-safe behaviour and compliance.
The Chief Health Officer's update for September 24 said the areas covered by the unexpected Phillip Island wastewater detection include Cape Woolamai, Cowes, Newhaven, San Remo, Silverleaves, Smiths Beach, Sunderland Bay, Sunset Strip, Surf Beach, Ventnor and Wimbledon Heights. The period of interest is September 20 - 23.
Anyone in the area with symptoms is urged to get tested as soon as possible.
For more information on wastewater testing, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/wastewater-testing
