NSW COVID-19 update: Virus fragments found in sewage as no new local cases reported

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

There was one new virus case acquired overseas, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5230.

However, NSW Health said fragments of COVID-19 had been detected in sewage systems at two spots in NSW - Allambie Heights in North Sydney and Merimbula on the NSW south coast.

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The positive sewage results could be caused by people who had recently recovered from COVID-19, as they can continue to shed fragments of the virus for several weeks.

But NSW Health said in a statement it was concerned the fragments could signal undetected cases in the community.

People in the area affected have been asked to be on alert for any cold-like symptoms that could signal COVID‑19, including a sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever or headache.

"If symptoms appear, please isolate and get tested immediately, and remain isolated until a negative result is received," NSW Health said.

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Meanwhile, anyone arriving in Sydney from Perth or the Peel region is being told to self-isolate for three days, in line with the current lockdown in Western Australia, which was sparked by an outbreak in hotel quarantine.

So far, more than 553,000 NSW residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with 191,745 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 361,530 administered by Commonwealth Government providers.