Routine testing has again returned positive results for viral fragments of COVID-19 in wastewater at Bundaberg.
A positive result was also recorded at Elanora on the Gold Coast. Both samples were both collected on Wednesday, 30 December.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said continued positive sewage results were particularly concerning given the New South Wales cluster and new cases in Victoria.
“These positive test results are concerning as they may indicate either a recovered case or undetected active cases living in or visiting the area,” she said.
“It is very important that anyone in the Bundaberg and Elanora catchments who has COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, comes forward for testing. If there are active cases in the area, it is important that we detect them early to prevent further transmission.
“It’s not just residents we want to reach, but holiday makers as well.
“We’ve announced 12 wastewater results in the past eight days, and Queenslanders are responding fantastically by getting tested – please keep it up.”
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service says the testing that confirmed the viral fragments was part of following up last week's discovery of COVID-19 fragments at the Rubyanna and Bargara wastewater facilities.
The fragments could either indicate the presence of an undiagnosed case of COVID-19 or that a case who is no longer infectious is still shedding fragments of the disease.
“The fragments themselves are not infectious,” Wide Bay Health said on Facebook.
Locations of concern
People from the following localities are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 if they have any symptoms that are consistent with the virus:
- Ashfield
- Avenell Heights
- Bundaberg Central
- Bundaberg East
- Bundaberg North
- Bundaberg South
- Burnett Heads
- Kalkie
- Kepnock
- Mon Repos
- Walkervale.
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, and loss of taste or smell.
There is no risk when drinking water, showering, watering the garden, swimming or other activities. For information on WBHHS’s fever clinics visit www.health.qld.gov.au/widebay/fever-clinics.
To access a full list of COVID-19 testing locations, with interactive map and post code search, visit here.
Queensland’s total COVID-19 cases is 1253, of which 13 are active. The state recorded 5105 tests in the last 24 hours.
NSW and Victoria being monitored
Dr Young said she was closely monitoring the New South Wales cluster and the new Victorian cases.
“While we are not changing any restrictions to New South Wales and Victoria at this stage, as we’ve seen, things can change really quickly with this virus, so I continue to urge Queenslanders travelling to these states to reassess their plans – if it is not necessary, then consider staying here,” she said.
“The situation in Victoria and NSW is still very concerning. Queensland is in a good position right now because we acted quickly to declare greater Sydney a hotspot.
“The health and safety of Queenslanders has and always will be our first priority when making these decisions.
“We’ve worked hard to keep COVID-19 out of the Queensland community and we do not want that to come undone because of complacency, so please keep up your social distancing, hand washing, and providing contact details at venues.”
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