In Australia, nine overseas travellers in New South Wales hotel quarantine have been diagnosed with Covid-19 as authorities detect more virus traces in sewage, AAP reports.
There are 72 active coronavirus cases across the state with health officials warning the public to remain vigilant.
“With the weather becoming warmer and people starting to attend more social gatherings, NSW Health is calling on the community to maintain the Covid-safe behaviours,” a spokesman said on Sunday.
“Although there have been no locally acquired cases in NSW in recent days, now is not the time to drop our guard.”
Members of the public are reminded to keep practising physical distancing and good hand hygiene, and get tested and isolate if they feel unwell.
No locally acquired cases were diagnosed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday.
Authorities are urging testing for symptomatic people in parts of west and northwest Sydney after traces of coronavirus were found in sewerage systems.
“The catchment takes sewage from approximately 180,000 people,” NSW Health said of one network.
The traces were found in samples taken on Thursday from a waste water network which services parts of suburbs including Leppington, Catherine Field, West Hoxton, Hoxton Park, Edmondson Park, Prestons and Miller.
Traces were also found in a separate sewerage system, servicing 120,000 people in an area covering Quakers Hill, Bella Vista, Kellyville and Baulkham Hills.
“While detection of the virus in sewage samples could reflect the presence of older cases of Covid-19 diagnosed in these areas, NSW Health is concerned there could be other active cases,” a statement read.
