Covid fragments found in 16 Queensland sewage catchments in just two weeks causes mounting concern the virus is circulating undetected

Covid-19 has been discovered in 16 Queensland sewage catchments over the past two weeks - causing fears the virus could be circulating in the community.

Fragments of coronavirus have been detected multiple times in the Coombabah, Cleveland and Carole Park sewage catchments in the last fortnight. 

Queensland Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Sonya Bennett said the repeat detection is becoming more concerning. 

The positive samples indicate there could be an undetected coronavirus case in Queensland.

Covid-19 has been discovered in 16 Queensland sewage catchments over the past two weeks

Pictured: Health care worker tests people at a Covid-19 drive through clinic in Queensland on January 11

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'Cleveland and Carole Park are of particular concern as we have no hotel quarantine locations that feed into these sewage systems,' Dr Bennett said.

'We are urging anyone with any symptoms, no matter how mild to come forward and get tested.'

There have been other positive samples in Gibson Island and Pulgul (Hervey Bay) in the past three weeks. 

Cairns North, Maryborough and Loganholme have also seen multiple detections in the past four weeks. 

' of these catchments are in areas where cases have been detected among international arrivals,' Dr Bennett said.

' it is very important that everyone monitors their health, and comes forward for testing if they have any symptoms at all,' she said. 

Symptoms include runny nose, fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of taste or smell.  

The positive samples indicate there could be an undetected coronavirus case in Queensland. Pictured: Woman wears a face mask in Brisbane on January 10

Dr Bennett said there was a risk highly infectious variants of Covid from overseas could have gotten into the state.   

'If there is a case we are not yet aware of, it is critical we detect it through our testing mechanisms as quickly as possible to contain any potential spread,' she said. 

'It is, of course, also possible that these detections relate to previous Covid-19 cases who can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious.' 

It comes after positive Covid samples were found in wastewater in three Victorian towns.   

An alert has been issued for Gisborne, Leongatha and Hamilton after Covid-19 was detected in wastewater at the Leongatha wastewater treatment plant on January 19.

Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services advised anyone with symptoms to get tested for the virus, even if they are 'mild'. 

 Residents in three Victorian towns have been urged to get tested for Covid after the virus was detected in wastewater. Pictured: Hydrographer Andrew Lamb taking samples from a sewer in Victoria, May 2020

'Anyone who lives in or has visited Gisborne from January 24 to 26, Hamilton from January 25 to 27 or Leongatha from January 17 to 19, is urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild,' DHHS said in a statement. 

DHHS said the initial testing of the Leongatha wastewater treatment plant showed a 'weak result' but has since been confirmed with independent testing. 

'The detection of viral fragments was unexpected given there had been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in these communities at the time,' DHHS said.

'But it can take several weeks for someone to stop shedding the virus.'

The wastewater result might be a sign there has been positive cases.   

Covid was detected in wastewater at the Leongatha wastewater treatment plant on January 19. Pictured: People wearing masks on December 31, 2020 in Melbourne