Victorian Wastewater testing results - October 2022

This is a historical data record of the Victorian Wastewater testing program. Data contains results from October 2022.Testing of wastewater can show if SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – is present in a geographical area or population.Victoria conducts wastewater surveillance and uses testing results with other health data as part of our COVID-19 response.People who have or have recently had COVID-19 may shed fragments of the virus. These fragments can enter wastewater through toilets, bowls, sinks and drains. This viral shedding may come from different sources such as used tissues, off hands and skin, or in stools. This shedding may last for a number of weeks beyond when a person is infectious.Samples of wastewater are collected from treatment plants and in the sewer network, both in metropolitan and regional locations. These samples are analysed for fragments of coronavirus.If viral fragments are detected in the wastewater of an area where there have not been recent COVID-19 cases, local communities can be more vigilant, promptly seek clinical testing if symptomatic, and practise COVID-safe behaviours with increased vigilance.

本数据集为维多利亚州污水检测项目的历史数据记录，涵盖2022年10月的检测结果。污水检测可用于判定某一地理区域或人群中是否存在严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2），即引发新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）的病毒。维多利亚州开展污水监测工作，并将检测结果与其他健康数据相结合，作为该州新冠肺炎疫情应对工作的组成部分。曾感染或近期感染新冠肺炎的人群可能会排出病毒片段，这些片段可通过马桶、便池、水槽及排水管道进入污水系统。病毒排出的来源包括使用过的纸巾、手部与皮肤残留及粪便等，且该排毒过程可能在患者不再具有传染性后仍持续数周之久。检测人员会从大都会及偏远地区的污水处理厂与污水管网中采集污水样本，并针对冠状病毒片段开展分析检测。若在近期无新冠肺炎病例报告的区域污水中检测到病毒片段，当地社区可提高警惕：若出现相关症状应及时就医进行临床检测，并在提升警惕的前提下践行疫情防控安全行为。