NewsLite SA
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
NewsLite SA
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Sewage could be the key to testing for COVID-19

NewsLite by NewsLite
26th May 2020
in News
2 min read
0
Sewage could be the key to testing for COVID-19
10
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

It is not possible to test the entire country’s population individually for the new coronavirus using test devices. Also, not all patients necessarily show symptoms of the virus. An expert at the University of the Free State (UFS) believes sewage can now be used to test people in groups for COVID-19.

“What is known to scientists, but is not yet clear to the public, is that the virus is present in human waste. It is known as viral shedding and it is also now known to lead to a detectable presence in both urine and faeces until a patient shows symptoms and after the patient is treated, ”Dr. Anthony Turton of the Center for Environmental Management at the UFS said in a statement on Tuesday.

Turton pointed out that there are 824 wastewater treatment plants in South Africa that collect sewage from different areas or suburbs.

“By taking sewage samples according to a clearly defined protocol, it is now technically possible to determine the viral load of the entire population in the catchment area of ​​that specific sewer. This data can be compared on a weekly basis and it can be determined whether the total viral load is increasing or decreasing, ”Turton said.

He explains that it is possible to detect small elements of the virus found in human waste in sewers.

According to Turton, samples are taken at the inlet of wastewater works where raw sewage is mixed. Therefore, samples can be taken on specific pipelines coming from different neighborhoods to obtain more accurate data.

Turton explains that it is therefore not possible to test persons individually for Covid-19 by means of sewage, but that this method of testing can help to paint a picture of the total viral load that occurs at a particular time at a particular time. group of people.

“It’s an easy way to collect data on the rate of change and specific epicentres of change or probable focal points.”

According to Turton, the method of testing is currently used in the Netherlands and is now being implemented in other developed countries.

Tags: coronaviruscovid-19
Share5Tweet2SendShare
Previous Post

Government officials rack up R7.8m on business-class flights and paid leave

Next Post

Post-pandemic ‘chance for new structures’

NewsLite

NewsLite

Next Post
Dlamini-Zuma could disappoint again with tobacco and alcohol ban active until Level 1

Post-pandemic 'chance for new structures'

Three’s deaths linked to taxi violence

Triple murder on farm shakes KZN

ANC councilor in court for attempted murder

Three arrested after murder of Smithfield farmer

Integrity Commission says Ace must stand aside

WATCH: Community cause chaos at Senekal court, attempts to overturn police van holding alleged killers

NewsliteSA is an independent South African news website with no agenda. NewsliteSA brings you breaking news, politics, celebrity, sport and world news.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Business (16)
  • Celebrities (1)
  • Crime (281)
  • Economy (178)
  • Featured (682)
  • Gaming (1)
  • Health (9)
  • International (44)
  • Journalism (32)
  • Lifestyle (5)
  • Money (10)
  • News (2,055)
  • Politics (52)
  • Sport (22)
  • Tech (8)
  • Video (294)
  • Viral (1)
  • Weather (2)

Recent News

Three’s deaths linked to taxi violence

15th Dec 2020
Triple murder on farm shakes KZN

Triple murder on farm shakes KZN

15th Dec 2020
  • Contact Us

© 2020 NewsLiteSA - [email protected]

No Result
View All Result

© 2020 NewsLiteSA - [email protected]