NSW Health has issued a COVID-19 health alert for the Bathurst region after remnants of the coronavirus were detected in raw sewage in the area today.
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Health authorities are tonight calling on anyone who attended the Bathurst 1000 motor race on the weekend as well as residents of Bathurst with any symptoms that could signal COVID-19 to get tested as soon as possible.
"Visitors to and residents of Bathurst must be aware of any symptoms of illness, and immediately isolate and get tested should even the mildest of symptoms appear that you think might just be a cold. Symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, tiredness, fever or other symptoms could be COVID-19," NSW Health said in a statement.
"After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received.
"NSW Health is urgently undertaking investigations, which include reviewing lists of all those known to have had the virus who attended or worked at the race.
"The only way to find new cases and prevent further transmission is to increase testing."
There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. You can find your nearest clinic here or contact your GP.
Sewage testing for molecular markers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, started in July, adding another tool in the fight against the global pandemic.
There is no evidence COVID-19 is transmitted via wastewater systems.