Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Health regarding COVID-19 wastewater testing results and the lack of public reporting. The Minister confirms detections in Subiaco and states an online dashboard is being developed for transparent reporting.

AnsweredQoN 8Legislative Council
Asked
4 May 2021
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
TESTING — WASTEWATER
8. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I refer to weekly COVID-19
wastewater testing that has been ongoing since November at Western Australian
wastewater treatment plants.
(1) Have
fragments of COVID-19 been detected in wastewater at any metropolitan
wastewater treatment plant over the past three weeks; and, if yes, which sites
and on what date?
(2) Have
fragments of COVID-19 been detected in wastewater at any of the regional
wastewater treatment plants over the past three weeks; and, if yes, which sites
and on what date?
(3) Why has the
McGowan government not released weekly results of COVID-19 wastewater testing
since its last media statement dated 22 January 2021?
(4) Will the
government commit to releasing weekly updates of COVID-19 wastewater testing;
and, if not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes;
fragments were detected at the Subiaco wastewater treatment plant on 13, 20 and
27 April 2021.
(2) No.
(3)–(4) The Department of Health is developing an online
results dashboard to enable the release of weekly results of COVID-19
wastewater testing. The Department of Health is committed to transparent
reporting.

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