New England North West COVID-19: virus fragments detected in Uralla and Inverell sewage as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces at-home quarantine trial

"I'd like to call out some areas where we've had a positive sewage detection and particularly asked residents of these areas to come forward for testing and to be vigilant symptoms," she said.

The state recorded 1284 new local cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm and unfortunately 12 people died.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said behind every death is a family in mourning.

"Every day the statistics are given out in detail, but behind every death is a family, a group of people who are mourning and our thoughts must go to them," she said.

"It's a reminder of how deadly and sinister this disease is."

Just more than 80 per cent of the state have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the premier said she expects Australia to consider its international borders at 80 per cent double dose.

In the next couple of weeks an at-home quarantine trial will start in NSW for returning Australians with a double dose of the vaccine.

There is no information yet on whether Glen Innes will go into lockdown following a positive case announced on Thursday.

The Leader will continue to update this story as more information comes to hand.

FRAGMENTS of COVID-19 have been detected in the sewage at Uralla as the virus situation in the region intensifies.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the most recent test of the sewage this morning returned a positive reading for COVID-19 fragments.

"While this does not mean there is definitely a case or cases of COVID-19 in the community, it is very concerning news," he said.

"If you have even the most mild of symptoms, please present immediately for testing, otherwise follow the stay-at-home order, mask up and get vaccinated.

"I will provide more information when it comes to hand."

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It comes after a positive case of COVID-19 was detected in Glen Innes on Thursday, with a number of exposure sites also listed for the town as well as at Tamworth and Moonbi.

An announcement on whether Glen Innes will go into lockdown is expected at the 11am press conference.

Anyone who attended Pickles Auctions in Tamworth on Wednesday, September 15, between 8.55am and 9.10am; or the Caltex service station at Moonbi on Monday September 13 from 5:55am and 6:25am, Wednesday September 15 from 8:20am to 8:50am and 12:05pm to 12:20pm.

The businesses have been listed as casual contact sites by Hunter New England Health and more exposure sites may be announced as investigations continue.

A positive case was also detected in Gunnedah but Hunter New England Health has confirmed the person was not in the community while infectious.

The Leader will provide more information about the region's COVID-19 situation after the 11am press conference.

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