Byron Shire on high alert after COVID-19 detected in sewage

Published on 23 July 2021

Byron Shire residents and visitors in the area with even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms are being urged to come forward for testing and to isolate, after fragments of the virus were detected in wastewater from the Byron sewage treatment plant.

A drive-through pop-up testing clinic has been established in response at the Cavanbah Centre in addition to the existing 25 testing clinics across Northern NSW>

“It is the first detection at the Byron Bay sewage treatment plant this year, and it is an extremely concerning find as we have no known cases of COVID-19 in our Shire,” Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said.

The Byron STP serves around 19,000 people in Byron Bay, Wategos, Suffolk Park, Sunrise and Broken Head.

“The results released by NSW Health last night were detected in a wastewater sample we provided them from the Byron Bay STP last week,” Mayor Lyon said.

“We’ve now been asked to increase our surveillance across the Brunswick, Bangalow and Mullumbimby sewage treatment plants.”

NSW Health advises anyone waiting for a test result to isolate until negative results are received, and if symptoms appear again, to isolate and retest.

“It is critical our residents and visitors follow advice from NSW Health at this time, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing,” he said.

“The NSW Government has also updated the current public health order, which now requires those unable to wear a mask to carry evidence from a registered medical practitioner of their medical exemption.

“Let’s work together to protect each other and the Shire from what could be a potential outbreak of COVID-19.”

QML Pathology is operating the additional drive-through testing clinic at the Cavanbah Centre.

The pop-up clinic will be open Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July from 8:00am until 4:00pm.

For the latest COVID-19 updates residents and visitors are encouraged to regular check the NSW Health website at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/