Fears 400,000 Sydney residents are at risk of Covid after wastewater examined in the city's north-west and southern suburbs

NSW Health says Covid in wastewater from several Sydney treatment plants
Those include: Cronulla, Rouse Hill, Bellambi, Castle Hill and Glenhaven
Dozens of affected suburbs around Sydney now on alert, NSW Health confirms
Residents urged to get tested if they experience 'cold-like symptoms'

By Peter Vincent For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:10 BST, 24 June 2021 | Updated: 04:00 BST, 24 June 2021

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There are fears Covid has escaped Sydney's eastern suburbs outbreak and travelled across the city after the virus was detected in wastewater in several widespread suburbs.

NSW Health confirmed on Thursday that Covid fragments have been detected in the north-western treatment plants at Castle Hill/Glenhaven and Rouse Hill, and at the southern plants at Cronulla and Bellambi.

Those water treatment plants service a combined population of more than 400,000 people, NSW Health said.

It urged residents in those areas to get tested if they feel unwell.

Active Covid cases have also been confirmed in those suburbs, NSW Health said in a statement.

Covid had been detected in wastewater in Cronulla, as well as several other suburbs around Sydney

Covid fragments detected in wastewater do not guarantee current Covid cases as the virus remains detectable after it ceases being active as a positive case - but it is a sign of Covid

'NSW Health is aware of recently confirmed Covid-19 cases who are in isolation in the Castle Hill/Glenhaven, Rouse Hill, Cronulla and Bellambi catchments,' NSW Health said.

'However, we urge everyone in these areas to be especially vigilant for any cold like symptoms.'

The department detailed dozens of Sydney suburbs that had become a concern on Thursday morning, highlighting the huge potential of spread - although Covid fragments do not guarantee a high number of cases.

'The Rouse Hill catchment serves about 100,000 people,' NSW Health said.

Covid has not been detected in wastewater at the Rouse Hill treatment plant since November 2020.

Covid has not been detected in wasterwater at the Rouse Hill treatment plant since November 2020

The Castle Hill/Glenhaven catchment serves about 18,000 people.

NSW Health said Covid was detected yesterday in wastewater from the Cronulla and Bellambi plants.

The Cronulla catchment serves about 233,000 people, while the Bellambi catchment serves about 82,000 people.

Which Sydney suburbs on alert with Covid in wastewater this week?

ROUSE HILL PLANT

Norwest, Acacia Gardens, Parklea, Bella Vista, Glenwood, Baulkham Hills, Stanhope Gardens, Beaumont Hills, Kellyville Ridge, North Kellyville, Rouse Hill, The Ponds, Glenhaven, Kenthurst, Box Hill, Kellyville, Annangrove, Castle Hill and Quakers Hill.

CRONULLA PLANT

Bundeena, Caringbah South, Burraneer, Dolans Bay, Lilli Pilli, Maianbar, Port Hacking, Greenhills Beach, Woolooware, Cronulla, Caringbah, Kurnell, Botany Bay, Miranda, Royal National Park, Clifton, Coalcliff, Stanwell Park, Otford, Waterfall, Lilyvale, Helensburgh, Woronora Dam, Stanwell Tops, Caringbah South, Yarrawarrah, Grays Point, Kirrawee, Woronora Heights, Barden Ridge, Gymea Bay, Sutherland, Loftus, Bangor, Yowie Bay, Woronora, Engadine, Heathcote, Maddens Plains, Taren Point, Sylvania Waters, Caringbah, Kangaroo Point, Como, Bonnet Bay, Kirrawee, Jannali, Oyster Bay, Kareela, Woronora Heights, Barden Ridge, Gymea, Sutherland, Loftus, Bangor, Woronora, Engadine, Alfords Point, Lucas Heights, Menai, Illawong, Miranda, Sylvania and Holsworthy.

CASTLE HILL/GLENHAVEN PLANT

Baulkham Hills, Glenhaven and Castle Hill.

BELLAMBI PLANT

Keiraville, Balgownie, Mount Pleasant, Mount Keira, Mount Ousley, West Wollongong, Gwynneville, East Corrimal, Fernhill, North Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, Towradgi, Wollongong, Woonona, Bellambi, Russell Vale, Thirroul, Bulli, Austinmer, Coledale, Corrimal, Wombarra, Scarborough, and Tarrawanna.