Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld records no new coronavirus cases
Queensland has recorded no new coronavirus cases but people with symptoms are urged to get tested after fragments of the virus were found in sewage.
October 19, 2020
Queensland has recorded no new COVID-19 cases as health officials continue to urge people with symptoms to get tested after more virus traces were found in sewage.
Coronavirus fragments were last week found in wastewater samples from some Brisbane suburbs and parts of the Sunshine Coast.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Monday prompted Queenslanders with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested for the virus.
“Given we’ve had those positive wastewater results we’d really urge people in the southeast to go and get tested if they have any symptoms,” he told reporters.
Four virus cases remain active in the state with more than 1700 tests completed in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
Sewage samples taken at the Sandgate wastewater plant on October 12 and the Maroochydore and Wynnum wastewater plants on October 13 were found to contain traces of the virus.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has previously said fragments could be from someone who has recovered from the virus and is not infectious, but still shedding it.
Or, they may be from an infected person who remains in the community undiagnosed.
It’s more than a month since the state has had an infectious COVID-19 case in the community.
Sewage testing from Townsville previously showed virus traces but has recently been found to be clear.