UK begins monitoring sewage for early signs of COVID outbreak

LONDON: It has been earlier confirmed by various studies that the novel coronavirus can spread through sewage from homes of people affected by the virus. Following this development, scientists in the United Kingdom have begun testing sewage at a total of 44 sewage treatment sites across the country. This is being done in order to monitor for fragments of coronavirus genetic material, according to a media report released on Monday, August 3. Research also indicated that wastewater sampling could provide signal of a coronavirus outbreak up to a week before the outbreak actually takes place.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Government of the United Kingdom, said that testing has begun in 44 sewage treatment sites across the country. A DEFRA spokesperson said that the government of the United Kingdom is working with scientists, water companies and the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. George Eustice, Secretary (Environment), Government of United Kingdom, said that sampling is being carried out to further test the effectiveness of this new science. However, research remains at an early stage and research methods are still being refined.