Police urge residents to get tested after second detection of COVID

Following the second detection of COVID-19 in the Mudgee Sewage Treatment Plant, Mid-Western police are insisting locals get tested as soon as possible.

The news of a second positive result came on August 6, two days after NSW Health announced via a live stream update on August 4 that Mudgee had had its first encounter with the disease.

NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program detected virus fragments in samples that were collected from Mudgee on August 2 and 4.

Local Emergency Operations controller for Mid-Western LGA, Acting Inspector David Aitkin, said with testing the only method of finding whether or not COVID is present within the community, it was crucial residents get tested.

"Having a second COVID-positive sewage result in Mudgee is of concern," Insp Aitkin said.

"The response NSW Health needs from our community is for as many people as possible to get tested. If you have even the slightest symptoms, head to the testing sites, they will not turn anyone away.

Inspector Aitkin said despite many across the region having already been tested, it remains important to stay vigilant.

"Mudgee and all of our towns in the Mid-Western LGA really have stepped up to the plate and done the right thing in relation to the Public Health Orders and rules that have come into place, with the vast majority doing the right thing, and for that we thank the community," Insp Aitkin said.

"We now need to increase our vigilance. Police will be out in numbers ensuring compliance with the public health orders.

"They will be focusing on ensuring we are signing into all businesses, wearing masks and distancing appropriately. They will be patrolling supermarkets, licensed venues and our roads.

"We are doing this in an effort to keep our community safe."

The Mudgee Sewage Treatment Plant serves 12,000 people.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Drive through testing at AREC:

To make an appointment at Mudgee's Respiratory Clinic, visit hotdoc.com.au or phone 6362 4031.

The Mudgee vaccination clinic is located at the Mudgee Showground Pavilion, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 1pm to 5pm.

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