Despite NSW recording no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases for a week, health authorities are urging people to stick to social distancing rules as fragments of coronavirus have  been found in wastewater.

There are now new fears that the virus is circulating undetected within the NSW community as fragments of the virus were found in wastewater testing plants across Sydney.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the sewerage results were “a concern”.

“Certainly the sewerage is showing that we may still have some virus circulating, particularly in the west of Sydney but everywhere across NSW,” Minister Hazzard told Today.

“If you have any symptoms at all, cold or flu-like illness, get tested. We need those testing numbers up.”

“People who have had it can be shedding the virus for a few months afterwards. So, it certainly is just on high alert.”

“There’s no way of knowing whether it’s past cases or current cases,” he said.

The situation is a “big concern” as people are looking to enjoy the warmer weather.

“Outside is far better than inside. Stay outside if you can. Enjoy the weather. But also maintain that social distancing.”

“Normally the requirement is for at least one lot of 14 days since the last transmission and preferably, if you ask the public health (experts) they will always say if they can get two cycles of 14 days but, of course, striking the balance and making sure our state is open as we have done right throughout this pandemic is so important.

“But we will weigh those issues up later this week.”

Authorities were previously looking at easing some of the restrictions, but it is currently unclear whether these conversations are still happening.