No viral fragments of coronavirus (COVID 19) have been detected in recent samples taken from the wastewater treatment plant in Castlemaine.
Routine testing at the Castlemaine waste water treatment facility detected fragments of COVID-19 on 27 January.
The Victorian Department of Health subsequently increased the frequency of testing with all tests from 29 January to 1 February identifying no detections.
Wastewater monitoring can show the possible presence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in a local community, however detecting the virus in wastewater does not always mean there is an active case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the area.
A likely explanation for the detection is that a person or people shedding the virus may have visited the area. People who have recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer infectious continue to shed the virus for many weeks. DHHS report seeing similar patterns in multiple locations across the state and expect this to continue. It is not a cause for concern.
Information about wastewater testing and monitoring is available on the Department of Health website.
CEO Sue Race said: “All residents and visitors to our region should get tested if they have any symptoms.”
Castlemaine Health and CHIRP Community Health continue to deliver COVID-19 testing for the local community. The drive-through COVID-19 screening clinics are held at CHIRP Community Health at 13 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.
Clinics are held every Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30 by appointment only. If you have symptoms or require a test please call 5479 1000 to make an appointment.
