Residents of Port Kembla and surrounding suburbs are being encouraged to present for COVID-19 testing if they are showing symptoms of the virus.
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This comes after fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have again been detected in the Port Kembla sewage treatment system.
Anyone who lives or works in the Port Kembla sewage catchment is urged to be extra vigilant for even the mildest of symptoms and get a test.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Director Public Health Curtis Gregory said a second positive result was picked up as part of NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program.
The Port Kembla catchment covers about 49,000 people living in suburbs including Windang, Lake Heights, Cringila, Warrawong, Koonawarra, Brownsville, Dapto, Berkeley, Kanahooka, Horsley, Avondale, Cleveland, Unanderra, Kembla Grange, Primbee, and Port Kembla.
Mr Gregory said while there are no known active cases of COVID-19 in these areas, the Health District was asking the community to act at the first sign of symptoms.
"High rates of testing is critical to ensuring that COVID-19 is not circulating undetected in the community,'' Mr Gregory said.
"Everyone who lives and or works in this area is asked to be vigilant for the onset of any cold-like symptoms.
"If they appear, please immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
"Symptoms can include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue."
Meanwhile, Laverty Pathology has established a pop-up drive-through clinic at the Port Kembla Pool.
The clinic is on Olympic Blvd, Port Kembla, with access via Cowper Street.
It will operate 8am-4pm week days, starting on Thursday and 8am- 2pm on weekends until required.
There will also be capacity to manage walk-in assessments for people without a car.
A full list of Illawarra testing clinic locations and opening hours is available here.
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