After the startling news of an ‘operational error’ in their sewage testing, Byron Shire Council welcomed confirmation from NSW Health late yesterday afternoon that testing of wastewater, as at 30 December 2020, revealed no trace of COVID-19.
It comes after no test results were available for four weeks in November-December.
Council has been providing wastewater samples upon request to NSW Health as part of its Sewage Surveillance Program since July last year.
Sample was frozen
Council was aware that one of its samples for the week 16-22 December was unable to be used because it was frozen.
This happened after the courier failed to pick up the sample and staff put it in the freezer. Unfortunately the frozen sample could not be used and Council apologises for this error.
In discussions with the Sydney Water laboratory yesterday as to why the other three test results were not available on the NSW Health website it was revealed that there were problems with the courier delivery process after the samples were collected from Council.
One sample froze during delivery to the laboratory.
Unexpected delays with couriers
The remaining two samples were not able to be used as unexpected delays with the couriers resulted in those samples being delivered to the Sydney Water laboratory above the temperature specification for analysis.
In order to rectify the logistic issues associated with collection and delivery of these samples, Council has been working with the Sydney Water Laboratory and NSW Health and is now using a different courier service to ensure samples reach the lab in a suitable state for testing.
Council understands how important it is for the community to have faith that all is being done to stem the spread of COVID-19, especially during busy holiday times.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
The Northern NSW Local Health District says there have been no new cases of COVID-19 reported in the 24 hours to 8pm 28 November, but, they are urging residents in the Lismore area to be alert for COVID-19 symptoms. The Northern NSW Local Health District is encouraging residents and visitors to Byron Bay to get tested for COVID-19, after being notified of a number of confirmed cases in the area during the last week. The Northern NSW Local Health District says there was one new case of COVID-19 was reported for NNSWLHD to 8pm, November 25. This case is located in the Byron Local Government Area, a traveller from outside the region and e is not associated with the Aquarius Backpackers. Just when we were getting used to the current COVID roadmap, it has changed directions. Adjustments to previous settings scheduled for this milestone were announced yetserday. According to the End COVID For All campaign the emergence of a new coronavirus variant in Botswana, most likely to be called 'Nu', underlines the need for Australia to step up its contribution to co-oridnated global efforts to prevent the virus’ spread and mutation. The Northern NSW Local Health District Northern NSW Local Health District have announced this afternoon that there were two new cases of COVID-19 reported for NNSWLHD to 8pm, November 21. The Northern NSW Local Health District is urging residents in the Tweed Shire, particularly in the Banora Point and Kingscliff areas to be alert for COVID-19 symptoms following the detection of fragments of the virus in sewage samples. The Northern NSW Local Health District said this afternoon, that three new cases of COVID-19 were reported for NNSWLHD to 8pm on November 18. Northern NSW Local HealthDistrict says that there has been one new case of COVID-19 reported for the area to 8pm yesterday, Friday November 12. The Byron Community Centre has this afternoon announced that they closed today, Friday November 12 owing to a confirmed positive COVID-19.COVID update – Aquarius, Lismore sewage fragments and the South African...
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