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 Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU. The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election. The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests. Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency. Today there are 41 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with none of these in ICU. The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reports that there are 37 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday, 1 May, 274 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the area, including 56 positive PCR tests and 218 positive rapid antigen tests
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