Virus detected in local wastewater

206493_01

By Taylah Eastwell

Viral fragments of the Covid-19 virus have been detected in wastewater samples taken from the hills and Eastern Melbourne on February 15.

The fragments were detected in water in Tremont, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Bayswater, Wantirna and Boronia, despite there being no active or confirmed cases in these areas.

The discovery has prompted the Department of Health and Human Services to encourage all people who live in or have visited these areas between February 13 and 15 monitor for symptoms and get tested accordingly.

The detection comes as Victoria has recorded two days without any locally acquired cases.