Health authorities are urging residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs and Lara to get tested after traces of coronavirus were detected in wastewater, in what’s been labelled an ‘unexpected’ result.
The warning applies to anyone who visited the region from October 21 to November 23, with Department of Health and Human Services saying no symptom was “too mild” for testing.
The health department admitted the result was “unexpected” given the lack of reported infections in the region and the state more broadly.
Acting chief health officer Allen Cheng said recovered patients could shed traces of coronavirus for several weeks well beyond their infectious period.
“We have had few of these positive wastewater results recently and, while we haven’t discovered any undiagnosed case of coronavirus, it is possible that there may be an infectious person in this catchment,” he said on Thursday afternoon.
“We encourage people in this area who are symptomatic to be tested and will update the community once more testing results become available.”
He said it was also a timely reminder for local businesses to recheck their COVID Safe plans to keep themselves, their colleagues and customers safe.
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