COVID-19 Tamworth: city records fourth coronavirus positive sewage test as Glen Innes marks first

There are no known cases in either town.

The positive results come as the state smashed the national record of total cases, with 1,533 new locally-acquired cases to 8pm on Friday.

There were 15 new cases in the Hunter New England local health district, bringing the total number of cases to 218 since August 5.

All told, some 759 people in the Western local health district have contracted coronavirus in the ongoing outbreak, including 38 new cases.

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The NSW Health sewage testing program detected fragments of the virus in Tamworth, Glen Innes and Port Stephens.

NSW Health Executive Director COVID-19 Public Health Response Branch Dr Jeremy McAnulty strongly encouraged local residents to be aware of the symptoms of the virus, and get tested immediately.

"If you live in one of those communities, please be very aware, come forward for testing even with the mildest of symptoms," he said.

There are still no known cases in Tamworth.

Tamworth sewerage is tested twice a week. It tested positive on Tuesday and Thursday last week and Monday this week.

With no known cases of the virus, authorities say the only logical explanation is that there is somebody in the local community who has COVID-19.

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