Coronavirus detected in Deer Lake wastewater

Wastewater testing has detected the presence of the coronavirus in Deer Lake.

In a Nov. 30 news release, the province said the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in the town of Deer Lake’s wastewater. Health officials said there is no cause for alarm, but anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should get tested.

Public Health also advised air travellers who came through Deer Lake airport between Friday, Nov. 19, and Monday, Nov. 22, to arrange for testing if they are symptomatic.

Wastewater testing in Newfoundland and Labrador for the coronavirus started Feb. 15. So far, 216 water samples have been collected in St. John’s, Paradise, Conception Bay South, Gander, Torbay, Happy Valley-goose Bay, Clarenville, Deer Lake, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Labrador City and Wabush. Out of those samples, four have tested positive for the coronavirus.

This form of testing has been found to uncover trends of COVID-19 in the community four to 10 days earlier than clinical data, the province stated, and this can lead to detection of the coronavirus among symptomatic and pre-symptomatic populations.