Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick is encouraging the shire community to get tested for COVID-19 with even the mildest of symptoms after fragments of the COVID-19 virus were detected at the Bermagui sewage treatment plant.
The sample was taken on Wednesday 29 September and the morning of Thursday 30 September.
Cr Fitzpatrick said sewage testing was an important tool in providing an early warning of any undetected infections in an area.
"If you live in Bermagui or the surrounding areas including Wallaga Lake, Fairhaven and Akolele, or in fact anywhere in the shire, and you have the slightest hint of cold-like symptoms, you need to get tested," Cr Fitzpatrick said
"We encourage people across the shire to get vaccinated as NSW moves through the stages of re-opening and potentially more people choose to travel to the area.
"We have a busy visitor season ahead of us and getting vaccinated helps protect us, our families and people who will be enjoying all the wonderful things we have to offer."
The South East Regional Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Bega has spaces available for Monday 4 October. You can book online or call 1800 318 248.
Council is sending samples from the sewage treatment plants in Eden, Bermagui, Merimbula and Bega, twice weekly to NSW Health for testing.
This is the second detection at the Bermagui sewage treatment plant, which serves approximately 1,800 people.
Testing facilities and hours can be found at www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/infectious-disease/covid-19-testing
COVID-19 cases and venues of concern are published on the Southern NSW Local Health District website at www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/infectious-disease/covid-19-venues-of-concern
For the latest COVID-19 updates and advice, go to www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
