NSW Health have requested Hilltops Council to commence participating in the NSW Health Sewage Surveillance research sampling program, conducting one sample per week in the Young township.
Detection of fragments in the sewer is often found to be an early warning of positive cases within the community, and can assist in increasing testing rates.
Upon receipt of this request, Hilltops General Manager Anthony O'Reilly directed staff to take appropriate action to facilitate commencement of testing.
The project aims to generate reliable results of sewage testing for fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can be integrated with health data for COVID-19 to support NSW Health's response to this and future pandemics. All data will be provided by the laboratories directly to NSW Health for interpretation.
"This is a very positive outcome for our community. Sewerage detection is often one of the first warning signs that there could be a positive COVID-19 case in the area and knowing this will help minimise risk our residents. We are pleased to be invited to participate in the program and will take all necessary steps to assist NSW Health." Hilltops General Manager Anthony O'Reilly said.
The results from the sewage surveillance program are publicly available here, along with further information about the program : https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/sewage-surveillance.aspx
