CANBERRA, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Traces of COVID-19 virus were detected in wastewater, in the northern suburb of the Australian capital, Canberra, said local health authorities today.
According to information from the official website of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government today, the positive detection “was found in a sewage sample collected on Jan 27, 2021, from the Belconnen wastewater testing location.”
Vanessa Johnston, deputy chief health officer of the ACT, said the detection does not mean the ACT has new COVID-19 cases, but it was treated with caution.
“It may represent a person who recovered from COVID-19, and is no longer infectious but is continuing to shed the virus,” Johnston said.
She said, the shedding can last for weeks after the person recovered.
“This detection may be indicative of a person in this category, who has recently returned home or visited the ACT,” she said.
“For example, we know that ACT residents continue to return to Australia from overseas. These individuals undergo hotel quarantine in other states and territories, before returning to the ACT. Some of these residents develop COVID-19 in hotel quarantine and then return to the ACT once they have recovered.
“However, it may also be an undetected active case, which is why the community should remain alert, but not alarmed.
“We urge anyone who lives, works, or has recently visited the Belconnen area, to get tested, if they are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms, and to self-isolate until they receive a negative result. This is particularly important for anyone who has recently travelled outside the ACT,” said Johnston.
“If there is an active case we are unaware of, it is vital that we detect this quickly to keep the community safe.”
Sewage was tested for fragments of the virus at six locations in the ACT weekly. ACT has so far recorded 118 COVID-19 cases, including three deaths. There are no active cases now in the territory.– NNN-AGENCIES
