Fragments of COVID-19 have been detected in sewage at Coffs Harbour.
Coffs Harbour residents urged to be vigilant
Sep 16, 2021View the latest updates.
Mid North Coast Local Health District is urging anyone with even the mildest of symptoms to get tested for COVID-19 following the detection of fragments of the virus in sewage samples taken from Coffs Harbour treatment plant on 13 September.
There are no new COVID-19 cases anywhere in the Mid North Coast Local Health District.
The Coffs Harbour sewage treatment plant serves about 57,400 residents from the urban areas of Coffs Harbour.
Testing sewage can help provide early warning of undetected infections in an area. This is of particular concern in Coffs Harbour where there are no known cases of COVID-19.
Detection of virus fragments in sewage can also be due to shedding of the virus by someone who may have previously had the illness and may no longer be infectious.
It can also be the result of a person with COVID-19 who may have visited the community and has since left the area.
We strongly encourage people in the Coffs Harbour area to remain vigilant and get tested if symptoms appear.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include a runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhoea or muscle aches.
A full list of COVID-19 testing clinic locations and opening hours are listed on the NSW Government website.