22 January 2021
Fragments of COVID-19 have been detected in sewage at four more sites in Queensland.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said viral fragments of SARS-CoV-2 had been detected at wastewater treatment plants at Mackay South, Goodna, Wacol and Carole Park.
“While this does not mean we have new cases of COVID-19 in these communities, we are treating these detections seriously,” Dr Young said.
“A positive sewage result means that someone who has been infected was shedding the virus. Infected people can shed viral fragments and that shedding can happen for several weeks after the person is no longer infectious.”
The samples from Goodna, Wacol and Carole Park were collected last week and the sample from Mackay South was taken this week.
“I continue to urge anyone who feels unwell in these communities to get tested and isolate,” Dr Young said.
“Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, and loss of taste or smell.
“If there is a case we are not yet aware of, it is critical we detect it through our testing mechanisms as quickly as possible to contain any potential spread.”
Three new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Queensland today, all acquired overseas and detected in hotel quarantine.
Details of these cases are as follows:
- One male aged 50-59 years old, with recent travel from PNG
- One female aged 30-39 years old, with recent travel from Dubai, UAE
- One female aged 30-39 years old, with recent travel from Doha, Qatar.
These cases bring Queensland’s total cases to 1,303, with 7,054 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.
For more information about Queensland’s wastewater surveillance program, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/wastewater.
To access a full list of COVID-19 testing locations, with interactive map and post code search, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-fever-clinics.