Fragments of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, have been detected at the Elanora wastewater treatment plant on the Gold Coast and the Loganholme wastewater treatment plant in Logan.
Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young said anyone with symptoms, no matter how mild, should come forward and be tested.
“Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, and loss of taste or smell,” Dr Young said.
“It is very important people with symptoms come forward right away and get tested – we can’t be complacent, we’re still in this pandemic,” she said.
“It is critical we detect any cases that we may not be aware of as quickly as possible through our testing system, to contain any potential spread.”
Dr Young said Queensland Health was concerned by new COVID-19 variants which were emerging overseas and were more contagious than variants previously seen in Queensland.
“It’s also possible that this detection relates to previous COVID-19 cases that can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious,” she said.
Further information on the suburbs included in the wastewater catchments can be accessed at this PS News link and COVID-19 testing clinic locations at this link.
