Emma Pritchard|

Recent testing has revealed no further fragments of the virus that causes Covid-19 were detected in the Yamba sewage treatment plant.

According to the latest figures released on the NSW Health website, the most recent test was conducted on August 18 and returned a negative result. On August 16, samples from the Yamba sewage treatment plant, which serves approximately 6500 people, detected traces of the deadly virus. Following the positive result last week, and with no known cases of Covid-19 in the Yamba area, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) established a drive through testing clinic at the Raymond Laurie Sports Centre and urged the community to come forward for testing.

NNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive Lynne Weir said sewage testing is an additional surveillance tool which can help provide early warning of undetected infections.
As the state continues to record increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases, Ms Weir is urging communities across Northern NSW to monitor for symptoms and come forward for testing immediately if
symptoms develop.

“Anyone who is even slightly unwell is urged to come forward for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result,” she said.

“We are also strongly encouraging people who may live on properties which are not connected to the town sewage supply systems, to please be alert for any symptoms of Covid-19 and get tested if you feel unwell.”
Asymptomatic people are also encouraged to come forward for testing.

To find your nearest testing clinic, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-toprotect-yourself-and- others/clinics or contact your GP.
For the latest sewage surveillance results, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au
*Information up to date at the time of publication. For the latest information, please refer to our website and social media pages.