Thousands of Sydneysiders are urged to get tested for COVID-19 after traces of the virus were found in sewerage drains - here are the suburbs at risk
Thousands of Sydney residents are being urged to immediately get tested for COVID-19 after the virus was found in sewerage drains across five suburbs.
NSW Health on Thursday night confirmed the state's sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus at a sewage pumping station in the city's south-west.
The sewerage system drains parts of Leppington, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville and Denham Court.
'Symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, tiredness, fever or loss of taste or smell can all signal COVID-19,' NSW Health said.
NSW Health on Thursday night confirmed the NSW sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus at a sewage pumping station in the city's south-west (file image)
'After testing, you must remain isolated until a negative result is received.'
Health officials started sewage testing for COVID‑19 in July, but there is no evidence the virus can be transmitted through wastewater systems.
NSW on Thursday had no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus and just two new cases from returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
NSW Health said the state did not record a single new local case in the 18,466 people who were tested for the virus in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.
Even though the state has had low numbers of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in recent days, the upcoming holiday period would see an increase in social and community gatherings, the department said in a statement.
'It is very likely that COVID-19 will continue to circulate in the community, including among people with mild symptoms or no symptoms,' it added.
NSW Health is urging people to maintain physical distancing, wear a mask on public transport and in places where it's impossible to distance and maintain good hand hygiene.
Health officials started sewage testing for COVID‑19 in July, but there is no evidence the virus can be transmitted through wastewater systems (file image)
'NSW Health thanks the community for coming forward to get tested and continues to urge everyone with even the mildest of symptoms to do so, as it allows us to detect cases early and prevent onward transmission,' it said.
A recent COVID cluster in south-western Sydney highlighted the importance of businesses using QR codes so all patrons could be easily contacted.
NSW Health is working with a number of other agencies to provide the Liverpool community and local businesses with extra support to help achieve COVID-safe practices.
NSW Health said the state did not record a single new local case in the 18,466 people who were tested for the virus in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday