Viral fragments of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV 2) have been detected in wastewater in the Wheatbelt town of Wyalkatchem.
This unexpected detection was found in a sample collected on Thursday, 24 February.
Finding traces of the virus in wastewater could mean there are active cases in the area, or an active case has recently passed through the area. It could also represent a person recently recovered from COVID-19 who is continuing to shed the virus into the wastewater.
Repeat wastewater samples have been arranged with results likely to be available next week.
WA's COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program
The Western Australian SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) wastewater surveillance program includes weekly wastewater sampling at six metropolitan wastewater treatment plants, 12 regional sites across 10 regional localities and 10 remote border towns. The program is expanding to include 24 metropolitan sub-catchment sites.
The virus enters wastewater through drains and toilets, and travels through the sewerage network as viral fragments.
There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through wastewater, with studies showing the virus is deactivated by the treatment process.
The surveillance program is an important tool for early detection of COVID-19 in the community but cannot replace – other kinds of COVID-19 testing, including nose and throat swabs.
It is important that anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell), no matter how mild, is tested immediately and isolates until they get their result and symptoms have cleared.
It is vital that people do not become complacent and continue practising physical distancing and hand hygiene are maintained. Anyone who is feeling unwell is urged to get tested without delay. Testing is available at the hospital in Wyalkatchem, or you can use a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you have access to one. There is no impact to drinking water in the area.
