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Singleton joins NSW COVID-19 Sewage Surveillance Program

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Sewage testing for COVID-19 will start in Singleton from next week under the NSW COVID-19 Sewage Surveillance Program.

It comes as the lockdown period for the Hunter – including the Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs – was extended by another seven days on 12 August.

Singleton Council is working with NSW Health as part of the program to collect sewage samples from the Singleton system that will then be tested for fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which will help to support the department’s response to the current pandemic. 

Results will be notified by NSW Health.

Singleton mayor Sue Moore said involvement in the NSW COVID-19 Sewage Surveillance Program, from Monday 16 August, was a role council could play to help support the safety of the community.

“We are fortunate that at this stage Singleton has not recorded any cases of COVID-19,” she stated.

“But, this latest outbreak of the virus is very contagious, is spreading rapidly and does not identify with local government borders.

“I congratulate everyone in our community for the actions they are taking to follow the Public Health Orders to stay at home, only go out for essential reasons, wear a mask and check in and out of venues to keep each other safe.

“Council is also taking action to review the delivery of its services to protect staff and residents, as well as ensure the continuation of essential services.

“Being part of the NSW COVID-19 Sewage Surveillance Program is another way we can support the work of NSW Health in responding to the pandemic.

“I also repeat NSW Health advice that if you have any symptoms at all, please get tested and isolate until you have received a negative result.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the seven-day lockdown, which was due to expire at midnight, would be extended after 24 new cases were recorded in the region, making a total of 77 since 5 August.

The stay-at-home orders are now in force until August 20 for everyone in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock. 

There were no new cases recorded on Wednesday in Armidale, Tamworth and Northern Rivers.

“Unfortunately the same isn’t the case for Hunter and New England,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“So rather than coming out of lockdown tomorrow, that will be extended another week.

“And, given what the area is experiencing, the community would understand why that is the case.”

NSW reported 345 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 and at least 91 of those people were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period.

Some 138 cases remain under investigation.

There are 62 COVID-19 patients in NSW in intensive care, with 29 ventilated.

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