Urgent alert for thousands of people in 30 suburbs after Covid-19 fragments were detected in sewage – so is your area on the list?
- Thousands put on alert for Covid-19 symptoms after virus found in waste water
- 30 suburbs in Melbourne’s northwest and east have been
Thousands of Melburnians have been put on alert for Covid-19 symptoms after the virus was detected in waste water from 30 suburbs in the city’s northwest and east.
The positive samples were taken on from between April 6 to the 16, and means someone with coronavirus – or shedding the disease – has been in those areas.
It comes after positive Covid test results came through on sewage from two suburban centres, Moonee Ponds and Ringwood.
Those who live in the areas or have visited during that time have been told to monitor for symptoms, and seek urgent testing if any emerge.
Symptoms include sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, fever and loss or change in sense of taste or smell.
‘The unexpected detections may be due to a person or persons with COVID-19 being in the early active infectious phase or it could be because they are continuing to shed the virus after the infectious period,’ the Department of Health said.
‘While it is possible that these detections are due to a visitor or visitors to these areas who are not infectious, a cautious approach is being taken.’
The positive samples were taken on from between April 6 to the 16 at two centres in Melbourne (pictured, a woman in the CBD)