Testing sewage to Map Covid spread

Testing sewage to Map Covid spread

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: A model developed by Kerala-born microbiologist settled in Sydney, in March last year has been adopted across Australia for its testing of waste-water to locate fragments of SARS-CoV-2 and thus detect hidden cases within the broader community.

Concept:

• The model works on premise of person infected with coronavirus will start ‘shedding’ the virus within three-four days through his faeces (The ‘shedding’ can also occur while coughing, showering, sneezing or brushing one’s teeth.).
• Such virus fragments, travelling through toilets and sewer pipes, end up in sewage treatment plants. Sample taken from sewage treatment plants in a specific catchment gives result of presence of virus in community even before symptom shows up.
• It has been seen to have high sensitivity, and high economic potential with testing equivalent to testing large number of people and containing spread in initial stages.
• The model was result of a research programme, Collaboration on Sewage Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 (ColoSSoS) launched by Water Research Australia (WRA).