The discovery of COVID-19 virus fragments in sewage at a treatment plant in Glenfield in south western Sydney has prompted renewed calls for residents to get tested.
The virus fragments were detected through the state's ongoing sewage surveillance program.
Detection of the virus in sewage samples could reflect the presence of known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in recent weeks in the area served by this sewage treatment plant. However, NSW Health is concerned there could be other active cases in the local community in people who have not been tested and who might incorrectly assume their symptoms are just a cold.
The area served by the treatment plant includes the suburbs of Airds, Ambarvale, Appin, Bardia, Blair Athol, Blairmount, Bow Bowing, Bradbury, Campbelltown, Casula, Claymore, Eagle Vale, Englorie Park, Eschol Park, Glen Alpine, Glenfield, Ingleburn, Kearns, Leumeah, Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Links, Menangle Park, Minto, Raby, Rosemeadow, Ruse, St Andrews, St Helens Park, Varroville and Woodbine.
People in these areas must be aware of any symptoms of illness, and immediately isolate and get tested should even the mildest of symptoms appear that might appear to be just be a cold. Symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, tiredness, fever or other symptoms could be COVID-19.
After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received. The only way to find new cases and prevent further transmission is to increase testing. There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.
Some of the closest testing clinics to Glenfield include:
- Campbelltown Hospital, Therry Road, Campbelltown, 8.00am-6.30pm, seven days a week
- Oran Park Pop-up Clinic, Julia Reserve Community Centre, Peter Brock Drive, Oran Park, 8.00am-6.30pm, seven days a week
- Prestons Drive-through Clinic, Ash Road, Ash Road Sporting Complex, Prestons, 8.00am-6.30pm, seven days a week
Sewage testing for genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, started in July, adding another tool in the fight against the global pandemic. There is no evidence COVID-19 is transmitted via wastewater systems.
