Coronavirus fragments found in wastewater at three Victorian towns — Hamilton, Gisborne and Leongatha

Residents of three regional Victorian towns have been asked to get tested for COVID-19 after fragments of the virus were detected in wastewater samples.

The viral fragments were detected in samples recently taken from Hamilton in the state’s south-west, Gisborne in the Macedon Ranges north-west of Melbourne, and Leongatha in South Gippsland.

“Anyone who lives in or has visited Gisborne from January 24 to 26, Hamilton from January 25 to 27 or Leongatha from January 17 to 19, is urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild,” Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said in a statement.

“Initial testing of wastewater taken from the influent to the Leongatha wastewater treatment plant on January…