Apollo Bay wastewater result may increase coronavirus testing

THE unexpected detection of fragments of coronavirus in Apollo Bay’s wastewater may lead to increased testing in other coastal towns along the Great Ocean Road, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.
However, Mr Andrews did not recommend more widespread testing for coronavirus, and stressed that only people with symptoms should get tested.
On September 5, the Department of Human Health and Services announced the first detection of the virus in Apollo Bay’s sewer network.
This was considered remarkable as there had been no known cases in the town’s community in recent weeks.
The origin of the virus is yet unknown – while it may be a result of someone with COVID-19 who has not been detected through testing, it could also be someone who previously had COVID-19 who is continuing to “shed” the virus.
The DHHS has increased testing in Apollo Bay as a result. Speaking last week, Mr Andrews said no positive cases had been reported so far, although some tests were still being assessed, and he expected the number of people tested in the region would go up.
“People hear the news, they learn that there’s this trace element found multiple times over a four-day period in Apollo Bay and if they’ve got any symptoms, I think people will be coming forward and getting tested; I think that message is out there.
“It’s quite hard to explain how this has happened, but it is the power of this additional tool we’ve got to be able to find a trace and then encourage a community to come forward and get tested.
“Apollo Bay have done a great job – as I said, there’s a handful of test results to come back – but we certainly couldn’t rule out looking at other Great Ocean Road townships.
“Whether we do that or not, I think people being conscientious, people being protective of that low virus status or no virus status, I think there’ll be many more people coming forward in any event, but only if they’ve got symptoms, though. That’s the real key.
“So if this serves no other purpose than to push people who’ve got symptoms to come forward and get tested, well, then that’s a wholly good thing.”
For more information on when and where to get tested for coronavirus, head to dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested.