Victoria back on high alert after coronavirus fragments found in wastewater
Victorian health authorities are on high alert after coronavirus fragments were found in sewage in an area where there are no active cases.
Wastewater testing has revealed viral fragments of COVID-19 in Wantirna South and Boronia on February 15 and Carrum Downs, Langwarrin, St Kilda, Caulfield and Caulfield North on February 16.
The suburbs are located on the east and southeast of the CBD, whereas all active cases are currently within the western suburbs apart from one person in Greater Dandenong.
The health department said the wastewater samples had “weak detections” of viral fragments.
Anyone who has any symptoms of COVID-19 and lives in or has visited the areas below during the following times has been urged to get tested:
- Wantirna South or Boronia from February 13 to 15, including parts of Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield and Tremont;
- Carrum Downs or Langwarrin from February 13 to 16, including parts of Skye;
- St Kilda East or Caulfield North from February 13 to 16, including parts of Balaclava, Caulfield and Elsternwick.
The detections come as Victoria recorded two straight days of zero locally acquired cases.
The health department said the number of active cases remained at 25, made up of 17 locally acquired cases and eight cases in hotel quarantine.
The active local cases reside in Moreland, Brimbank, Hume, Greater Dandenong, Moonee Valley and Wyndham local government areas.