Lithgow City Council sewage testing has again detected the presence of COVID-19 within the community.
In July, NSW Health requested that Council increase testing from once a week to twice a week.
“The Water and Wastewater team are collecting samples without any physical contact from the incoming sewerage to the plant on twice a week basis during peak flows times,” Council said in a statement.
“Samples are then transported to an approved lab and tested on the day of sampling. W&WW will continue to complete the sampling for NSW Health.”
The latest test samples have detected COVID-19 fragments from Council’s testing on August 19 and 23. Fragments were also detected in a sample test of Lithgow sewage on August 16.
“This is concerning and reinforces the need for everybody to comply absolutely with all health orders, to maintain all health safeguards and to get vaccinated,” Council said.
As of yesterday, Lithgow had four confirmed COVID-19 cases, with two from an unknown source.
“Lithgow City Council and other services in the area are working diligently to obtain information as rapidly as possible for the community with the available resources.”
The Lithgow sewage treatment plan serves around 12,000 people.
