NSW Health are encouraging residents of North Sydney, parts of the South Coast and the Newcastle area to look out for symptoms, after wastewater samples tested positive to COVID-19.

Sewage surveillance in Allambie Heights, Merimbula, and Burwood Beach returned positive readings, affecting the following suburbs:

• Allambie Heights
• Balgowlah
• Curl Curl
• North Curl Curl
• North Manly
• Freshwater
• Collaroy
• Collaroy Plateau
• Narrabeen
• Wheeler Heights
• Oxford Falls
• Dee Why
• Cromer
• Beacon Hill
• Narraweena
• Brookvale
• Frenchs Forest
• Merimbula
• Newcastle City

The catchments serve approximately 323,400 people.

While the results can include the shedding of viral loads from non-infectious people who have recently recovered from the virus, health authorities are concerned undetected transmission could be occurring.

Sydney Water spokesperson Maryanne Graham told Jim Wilson COVID-19 testing is simply the latest addition to the water surveillance program.

“As restrictions lift … it will be a frontline defence against otherwise undetectable COVID-19 cases.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full update

Image: Getty