COVID warning issued to more than 350,000 Sydney residents after discovery of sewage

Residents of dozens of Sydney suburbs urged to be on alert for signs of coronavirus.

NSW Health’s wastewater monitoring program reported on Friday that three watersheds had recently found traces of the virus.

The Minto, Liverpool and Warriewood watersheds receive the waste of 351,000 people.

“While these detections may reflect recent confirmed cases known in these areas, NSW Health urges all people living or working in these areas to watch for symptoms and get tested and self-isolate immediately if they appear,” a said a statement from NSW Health.

This is because no new locally acquired cases were reported within 24 hours until 8 p.m. Thursday.

There have been three cases in hotel quarantine out of more than 11,800 test results.

This is an increase in the number of tests from 7,809 a day earlier.

“The numbers of tests remain low, which is of concern given that the high test rates are an important tool in tracking the spread of the virus,” said NSW Health.

It comes as restrictions in Greater Sydney eased on Friday morning.

Starting at 12:01 p.m., the limits for gatherings were relaxed and changes to the mask rules were introduced.

“With the easing of restrictions in Greater Sydney starting today, it is essential that people remain vigilant,” said NSW Health.

“Everyone who comes for a test plays an important role in helping to contain the spread of COVID-19.”

Suburbs on alert

the Minto Watershed accommodates approximately 101,000 people and includes the suburbs of Kentlyn, Ingleburn, Minto Heights, Menangle Park, Gilead, Currans Hill, Woodbine, Campbelltown, Leumeah, Bradbury, Gregory Hills, Raby, St Andrews, Bow Bowing, Minto, Ruse, Airds, Glen Alpine, Blair Athol, Ambarvale, Englorie Park, St Helens Park, Rosemeadow.

the Liverpool herbal treatment hosts a pool of around 180,000 people from the suburbs of Bardia, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park, Abbotsbury, Ingleburn, Prestons, Holsworthy, Edmondson Park, Austral, Cecil Park, Cecil Hills, Elizabeth Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Edensor Park, Green Valley, Pleasure Point, Casula, Hammondville, Liverpool, Moorebank, Wattle Grove, Miller, Cartwright, Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Chipping Norton, Voyager Point, Macquarie Links, Glenfield, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville, Leppington, West Hoxton, Horningsea Park, Middleton Grange, Len Waters Estate, Carnes Hill and Denham Court.

Fragments of the virus have also recently been detected at Warriewood, which serves around 70,000 people in the northern beaches.