Southern NSW Local Health District (LHD) is urging the Queanbeyan and Cooma communities to get tested with even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms, following the detection of fragments of the virus in the local sewage systems in the last 48 hours.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Queanbeyan sewage treatment plan serves approximately 40,000 people.
The presence of these fragments in the Queanbeyan and Cooma sewage treatment plants could signal undetected cases in these communities. The Cooma sewage treatment plant serves approximately 8,000 people.
READ MORE:
The NSW Sewage Surveillance Program tests untreated sewage for fragments of the COVID-19 virus at sewage treatment plant locations across NSW.
The district urges people in the area to be alert for any cold-like symptoms that could signal COVID-19, including 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.
Expanded testing hours will be available in Cooma and Jindabyne.
The expanded testing will run at Queanbeyan District Hospital which offers walk-in testing at 107 Collett St, Queanbeyan, Monday to Sunday, 8am - 4pm. Entry at the rear of the hospital with dedicated parking on Collett Street.
Drive through testing will be available at Cooma Showgrounds (drive through), Cromwell St, Cooma, Friday to Sunday, 7am - 7pm.
Testing will be available at Jindabyne HealthOne carpark, 5 Thredbo Terrace, Jindabyne, Friday to Sunday, 8am - 3pm.
Drive through testing is available at Seiffert Oval, 36 Thurralilly Street Queanbeyan, operated by Histopath, Monday to Sunday, 7am - 5pm.
There are more than 460 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. A full list of the clinic sites and hours is available on our website.
Those who are eligible should come forward for vaccination as soon as possible. There are more than 100 NSW vaccination clinics and outreach locations across the state in addition to GPs and pharmacists. Check your eligibility here.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away - don't delay.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
- Keep your distance.
- Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
- Wear a mask at all times when outside your home, except when exercising.
For up-to-date statistics visit NSW Health.
Read more COVID-19 FAQs.
