Extra protection for island

Phillip Island has been added to the state government’s wastewater surveillance project.

The decision provides added peace of mind for residents concerned visitors may bring the virus to the area, which has had no active recorded cases since the end of August.

Last week, local MP Jordan Crugnale told the Advertiser she was advocating the island be included in the surveillance, given its unique characteristics as a holiday destination.

Over the weekend, the government announced the Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant was one of nine new sites added to the program.

Ms Crugnale said she was very pleased the island had been included.

"Our wastewater surveillance program is a really valuable part of the public health response and we have been collecting samples from sites across the regional and metro sewer network since August.”

In late September the number of sites rose from 25 to more than 30 which included Wonthaggi. Ms Crugnale said the program could be an effective early warning system for Coronavirus. The new sites announced by the new Health Minister, Martin Foley over the weekend, brings the total number of sites in Victoria to 40.

The Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant is run by Westernport Water.

The corporation treats 1100 megalitres of domestic wastewater each year. The Cowes plant processes 90 per cent of that, with the remaining 10 per cent processed at the King Road plant in Coronet Bay. According to Westernport Water the Cowes treatment plant can treat up to 8.5 megalitres of wastewater per day.

Viral monitor

Testing for Coronavirus viral fragments in wastewater is an additional monitoring tool, which DHHS said may provide early warning of COVID-19.

According to the DHHS website, people who have or have recently had Coronavirus (COVID-19) may shed fragments of the virus.

“These fragments can enter wastewater through bowls, sinks and drains. This viral shedding may come from different sources such as used tissues, off hands and skin, or in stools. This may last for a number of weeks beyond a person’s infectious period.”

If fragments of the virus are detected in the wastewater in an area where there have not been any recent positive cases, it triggers increased testing and a heightened health response.

In September viral fragments were detected in wastewater in Anglesea wastewater and in Apollo Bay. The government established additional testing sites in both areas.

The surveillance project is a joint venture between all the Australian states and territories and New Zealand.

More information on the wastewater surveillance project is available on the DHHS website.