Urgent Covid alert for 42 Melbourne suburbs after sewage find

Josh Dutton
·News Reporter
·2-min read

Coronavirus fragments have been found in a number of wastewater samples in Victoria.

The state’s health department said on Wednesday Covid-19 fragments had been found in the eastern, western, north-western and outer northern suburbs.

“Given the current prolonged period of no community transmission in Victoria, it is most likely that this is due to a person or persons continuing to shed the virus after the infection period however, it could also be due to a person living in or travelling through the area in the early active infectious phase,” the department said.

People are seen wearing masks in Melbourne.
Covid-19 fragments have been detected in a number of Melbourne waterways. Sourrce: AAP

“The wastewater testing program is designed as an early warning system to support our ongoing efforts in continuing to protect the CovidSafe environment we have achieved and therefore a cautious approach is always taken when these detections are found.

“People who live in or have visited these areas who have or develop Covid symptoms are strongly encouraged to get tested and help keep Victoria communities Covid free.”

The samples were detected in various suburbs from April 17 until April 26.

A map shows highlighted red areas in Melbourne where Covid-19 was detected in wastewater and the green shows areas where there were no detections.
A map showing wastewater surveillance results from the last 14 days up to Tuesday. The red parts show the unexpected detection of Covid-19, while the green shows no detection. Source: DHHS
General view outside of Flinders Street Station in Melbourne.
The health department believes someone is shedding the virus. Source: AAP

Suburbs impacted by new Covid alert

  • Western suburbs catchment from April 18 to 26: Albanvale, Burnside, Burnside Heights, Cairnlea, Caroline Springs, Deer Park, Delahey, Hillside (Melton), Keilor Downs, Kings Park, Plumpton, Ravenhall, Sydenham, Taylors Hill or Taylors Lakes

  • North-western suburbs catchment from April 18 to 26: Avondale Heights, Calder Park, Hillside (Melton), Kealba, Keilor, Keilor Downs, Keilor East, Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Sydenham or Taylors Lakes

  • Eastern suburbs catchment from April 20 to 24: Balwyn, Balwyn North, Blackburn, Blackburn North, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Mitcham, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Nunawading or Templestowe Lower

  • Outer northern suburbs catchment from April 17 to 22: Epping, South Morang or Wollert

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Storeor Google Play.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories