19 May 2021

Covid-19 samples returned weak positive results in Porirua and Karori last week

3:14 pm on 19 May 2021

Further testing of Wellington's wastewater has revealed traces of Covid-19 in Porirua and Karori.

Coronavirus, Covid-19, 3d image illustration, microscopic view of floating virus cells. Influenza, 2019-ncov flu. Concept of a pandemic, outbreak corona virus viral infection.

(File image) Photo: 123rf.com

Two weak positive results were detected on Sunday, with the Ministry of Health saying they likely came from recently recovered cases continuing to shed the virus.

New samples from Moa Point and Hutt Valley did not detect virus fragments, but samples from Porirua and Karori on 16 May showed weak positive results.

The samples from Porirua and Karori on 15 and 17 May returned negative results so virus fragments were not detected on those days.

The Ministry of Health said the results were likely due to recently recovered cases continuing to shed the virus.

Additional samples were collected yesterday and an update is expected tomorrow.

There is no risk of infection from Covid-19 in wastewater.

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