Test confirms no trace of coronavirus in Canberra's sewage.

[2greys]

A comprehensive testing program has found no traces of SARS-CoV-2 in Canberra's sewage system. The testing program, carried out by experts from ANU, examined Canberra's sewage water for traces of the coronavirus which causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. Testing sewage is a rapid and inexpensive way of tracking the coronavirus and potential community transmission.

ANU environmental epidemiologist and project lead, Dr Aparna Lal, said the testing of daily samples throughout May found no SARS-CoV-2 in sewage from Canberra.

"We tested 25 samples in May from Icon Water's sewage treatment plant, covering the whole of ACT population, and found no traces of SARS-CoV-2 RNA," she said.

"This coincides with the period that the ACT was declared free of any new coronavirus cases".

[2greys]

Perhaps a lesson to be learnt by the UK Authorities as an addition to their Trace, Track and Isolate scheme, that is not world beating as claimed.

[rachelmi]

Are we testing sewage here in the Uk do you think???

[Ergendl in reply to rachelmi]

It has been reported in the news, that Covid-19 has been identified in water treatment samples taken in March 2019.

[rachelmi in reply to Ergendl]

Yes but are we currently testing all areas to identify a new covid hot spot ?? Be sensible thing to do, wouldn’t it! Or are we just waiting to see which hospitals are inundated possibly!?

[Ergendl in reply to rachelmi]

It would appear that water treatment plants routinely check for various things, for that water treatment plant to identify that in a sample from over a year ago.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

that's worrying

[2greys]

It would be fairly easy to sample the main sewer lines to be able to isolate specific areas, like a large housing estate to take lockdown measures, rather than lockdown a whole city. This would surely pay for itself, allowing the economy to proceed faster in those other areas that remain under control, with the virus. Rather than isolating a whole city on mass and, in essence, punishing whole areas of people who are not guilty breaching the health guidelines.

Punishing the innocent is one of the first steps to public unrest, rioting and rebellion. The politicians are running the risk of playing with fire.

[SORRELHIPPO]

I heard an interview of some Sewage/Water people in this country, saying they could easily do this, and would be able to give results pertaining to small number of post code areas. this would give a true picture, as should show up the symptom-less in that area as well, all they need is for the Government of PHE to want this information.

[2greys in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Which begs the question, why don't they. If a nobody like me can figure this out, I'm sure the scientists must have, so the Gov cannot be following the science, why?

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to 2greys]

Who knows, is about the politest answer I can think of!!

[rachelmi in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Much of what I’m thinking 🤔 I can’t type on here! Else I’ll get banned 😂😂

[Hidden]

Thank goodness for that, it would be dire if they found anything.

I think our water authorities do regular checks any way for health and hygiene so I expect if they haven't already they certainly will be, although if there was a problem you can bet sickness and death would be a lot more rampant than it already has been. We would all be infected already.

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

Not talking about the drinking water, but the testing of sewage, to isolate with much finer accuracy of any local hotspots. Locking down a whole city could be an extremely blunt instrument.

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

Definitely don't want it in our sewage. If it was I still think everyone would already be sick by now.