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The North Coast Public Health Unit has issued a warning for people to use common sense before deciding to swim at rivers and beaches this weekend.
Director Paul Corben says people should avoid swimming if there are signs of pollution or debris in the water or on the tide line.
Ear infections, eye infections and fever are common illnesses that result from swimming in contaminated water.
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Byron Shire Council has joined with Northern Rivers councils and the North Coast Public Health Unit to launch the Tackling Mosquitoes Together campaign.
Byron Shire Council’s award-winning West Byron Sewage Treatment Plant. Photo waterandcarbon.com.au
An ‘operational error’ has resulted in Byron Shire’s sewage surveillance results being unreported since the week ending December 5.
The tests are considered an addition to COVID-19 testing, as it only detects presence of the virus, including from those who have recovered.
Director North Coast Public Health, Paul Corben said in a statement, ‘Sewage testing is an extra COVID-19 surveillance mechanism in addition to testing of residents and visitors’.
‘Byron Bay is participating in the state’s sewage surveillance program; however, no results are available from the two Byron Shire testing locations since the week ending December 5.
Sewage samples from Byron Bay were mistakenly froze instead of refrigerated
The specimens were collected by council workers to be tested for COVID-19
They were sent to a NSW Health lab where staff discovered they were useless
A local exposed the bungle on Facebook describing the error as an epic mess
It comes as visitors flock to the tourist hotspot to celebrate the festive season