LEETON Shire Council has not yet been advised to test the town's sewerage for traces of the COVID-19 virus.
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Council said it understands the COVID-19 lab testing of sewerage is highly-specialised and there a capacity constraints and for this reason not all local government areas are being tested on a routine basis.
"To our knowledge all Riverina councils being tested are doing so at the direction of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District and the NSW chief health officer," council's general manager Jackie Kruger said.
"As Leeton has not had a case to date and is in the centre of the MLHD area, we suspect we are not considered as 'high a risk' as some other LGAs.
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"That said, we still need to be extremely diligent as a community and do all the right things 100 per cent of the time in our efforts to keep ourselves and others safe."
It is believed six councils in the MLHD area are testing their sewerage - they are Wagga, Gundagai, Griffith, Deniliquin, Albury and Moama.
There remains no cases of COVID-19 in the MLHD, but authorities have warned this will likely not be the case moving forward.
"While we will continue to strive to keep COVID infection out of Leeton shire, council is working on the basis that we should all prepare and act as if it is already here," Mrs Kruger said.
"We are encouraging residents to get fully vaccinated and follow the health regulations.
"Currently this includes staying at home unless you work for an essential service, wear masks in accordance with health regulations, social distance and wash/sanitise hands regularly."
Anyone requiring support and advice during lockdown can contact Mary Errey at Leeton Connect on 0407 948 397.
Leeton Connect has a comprehensive view of services in the shire and through its "Leeton Connects With Kindness" campaign can steer people in the right direction should they need help during this time.
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