COVID fragments again detected in Merimbula sewage plant
MEDIA RELEASE 2021 - NSW Health has again advised that fragments of the COVID-19 virus have been detected in the Merimbula sewage treatment plant.
1 September 2021
NSW Health has again advised that fragments of the COVID-19 virus have been detected in the Merimbula sewage treatment plant.
This detection was from a sample taken over a period from Sunday 29 August and the morning of Monday 30 August.
Bega, Bermagui and Eden samples did not return a detection of the virus during the same period.
Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick said while there are still no known cases in the Bega Valley, the persistent presence of fragments continues to signal the possibility of undetected cases in the community.
“The detection of fragments of the virus at the Merimbula sewage treatment plant three times in two weeks is of concern,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“The Merimbula sewage treatment plant serves approximately 7,000 people covering Merimbula, Pambula, Pambula Beach, South Pambula, Mirador, Berrambool and parts of Millingandi.
“Also regularly emptied commercial pump-out tank systems in the shire feed into the Merimbula sewage treatment plant.
“We urge people across the Bega Valley, and in the Merimbula and associated communities particularly, to get tested if they have any cold-like symptoms, such as headache, nausea, sore throat, runny nose, cough, loss of smell or taste, or fever.
“If symptoms appear, people must isolate and get tested immediately, and remain isolated until a negative result is received.”
Council is sending samples from the sewage treatment plants in Eden, Bermagui, Merimbula and now Bega, twice weekly to NSW Health for testing.
“Since the virus fragments were first detected last week, the number of people getting tested for COVID-19 has been relatively low.
“It’s critical we see higher COVID-19 testing numbers if we are going to find the source of these virus fragments.”
South East Regional Hospital’s COVID-19 drive through testing clinic is open Monday to Sunday from 8am to 4pm.
A full list of COVID-19 testing clinic sites and hours is available at: www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/infectious-disease/covid-19.
For the latest COVID-19 updates and advice, please go to www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Making an enquiry
All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Events team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.
To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:
- email media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
- call 02 6499 2222
Councillors
Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Events team contact details above.
Receiving information
If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and we will add you to our distribution list.
You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook and Instagram.
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
Our council websites
Contact Us
- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
-
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332