8 January 2021
Tenterfield Shire Council has today signed an agreement with NSW Health to participate in their SARS-CoV-2 Sewage Surveillance Research Project for the next 4 weeks and facilitate testing of sewage at both the Tenterfield and Urbenville Sewage Treatment plants.
“Given the detection of fragments of the SARS CoV-2 virus in sewage in Stanthorpe, Warwick and other parts of southern Queensland and the relatively close proximity of these towns to the Tenterfield Shire, it seemed prudent to sample for the next 4 weeks” Council’s Acting Chief Executive, Mr Paul Della said.
The testing can help provide early warning of COVID-19 infections in the community. These tests provide data to support NSW Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and further information on the project can be obtained by visiting https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/sewage-surveillance.aspx
NSW Health publish results of the testing each week and these result can be located by visiting https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/weekly-reports.aspx
Tenterfield Shire Council will also keep the community updated on the results of the testing via Council’s website https://www.tenterfield.nsw.gov.au which will contain a link to the above test results.
Mayor Peter Petty said that, “Regardless of the results of the sewage testing it is important to listen to the advice of the experts and continue to practice social distancing and most importantly get tested for COVID-19 if you experience even the mildest of symptoms”.
Media Contact: Mayor, Peter Petty on 0411 475 301.
ENDS