Virus warning issued in 50 Queensland suburbs after Covid is detected in wastewater 

An urgent Covid-19 warning has been issued after fragments of the virus were found in four wastewater treatment plants.

Virus fragments were detected at the Cairns North, Marlin Coast, Fairfield and Mackay South plants.

Fifty suburbs are connected to the four plants, with residents urged to get tested immediately.

It comes after the virus was detected on Friday at Luggage Point, which services parts of Brisbane’s Metro North district, and Kawana on the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said officials are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas.

Virus fragments were detected at the Cairns North, Marlin Coast, Fairfield and Mackay South plants (stock image)

QLD Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said officials are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas

‘It is critical we detect any cases that we may not be aware of as quickly as possible through our testing system, to contain any potential spread,’ she said.

‘We are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas that are more contagious than previous variants we have seen in Queensland.

‘It’s also possible that this detection relates to previous Covid-19 cases that can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious.’

The alert comes hours after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced updated restrictions on the gatherings at private homes, outdoors, at campsites and in elevators.

From 1am on Saturday, Queenslanders will be allowed to host up to 100 people at private homes and 500 people outdoors.

All limits on distancing at beachfront campsites will be lifted and six people, rather than four, will be allowed to ride in lifts.

It also makes the return to workplaces and greater numbers of workers in the CBD more likely, pumping more money into sandwich bars and coffee shops.  

The alert comes hours after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced updated restrictions on the gatherings at private homes, outdoors, at campsites and in elevators

Source: DailyMail AU