An unexpected detection of Covid-19 fragments in wastewater taken on 26 March has residents and recent visitors to Melbourne’s west on high alert.

Victorian Health authorities are urging anyone with coronavirus-related symptoms to get tested, regardless of how mind the symptoms might be.

Symptoms that require testing, include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste.

While Victoria marks 34 days with no community transmission and only one active case of the virus acquired overseas, a warning has been issues for specific areas on certain dates.

Anyone that has been in:

  • Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina and Werribee between 22 and 29 March
  • and Beaconsfield, Berwick, Clyde North, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Guys Hill, Hallam, Hampton Park, Harkaway, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South, Officer as well as Upper Beaconsfield between 21 and 25 March

is required to pay attention to any Covid-19 related symptomatology.

“Fragments of the virus detected in wastewater may be due to a person with COVID-19 being in the early active infectious phase or it could be because someone is continuing to shed the virus after the early infectious period,” the Department of Health said.

For more information and updates about the wastewater in Melbourne’s west can be found on the Department of Health website.