Sewage from across Hampshire checked for Coronavirus
Wastewater collected at sites in Southampton and Basingstoke are included in the testing.
A government-led project is successfully detecting traces of coronavirus in sewage, providing early warning for local outbreaks across the country, and sharing data with NHS Test and Trace.
The programme, announced in June, has now proven that fragments of genetic material from the virus can be found in wastewater. This can then indicate where a local community or an institution is experiencing a spike in cases.
Results can provide local health professionals with a clearer picture of infection rates by identifying where there are high numbers, particularly for asymptomatic carriers and before people show symptoms. Local authorities to take early action to slow the spread of the virus.
Data will be shared with NHS Test and Trace and inform where new outbreaks may be happening. It means that public health leaders can speak directly to institutions where there may be spikes in infection. Those institutions would then encourage people to get tested or take extra precautions.
The project has already worked successfully in south-west England, where sewage sampling showed an increase in coronavirus material despite relatively low numbers of people seeking tests.
This information was passed to NHS Test and Trace and the local council, which were able to alert local health bodies to the increased risk and contact people in the area to warn of the increase in cases.
Testing has now been rolled out across more 90 wastewater treatment sites in the UK. This includes 44 plants in England covering approximately 22 per cent of the population. There are plans to expand testing.
Defra, the Environment Agency and the Joint Biosecurity Centre are collaborating on the English programme and chairing a UK-wide group to ensure coordination between Scottish and Welsh governments and academic projects. The testing is being led by the Environment Agency’s Starcross laboratory in Exeter.
Environment secretary George Eustice said:
“This is a significant step forward in giving us a clearer idea of infection rates both nationally and locally, particularly in areas where there may be large numbers of people who aren’t showing any symptoms and therefore aren’t seeking tests.
“NHS Test and Trace is able to use the science to ensure local health leads are alerted and can take action.”
“We are continuing to look at how this programme can be refined as one of the many measures we’re using to slow the spread of the virus and protect local communities.”
The World Health Organization is clear that the likelihood of coronavirus being transmitted via sewerage systems is extremely low or negligible.
Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, said:
“Sewage is a rich source of information about community health. I recently visited Starcross laboratory and saw the testing, monitoring and analysis carried out by the Environment Agency’s wastewater experts.
“I was inspired by their collaborative approach with academics, industry and government to help provide an early-warning system for local coronavirus outbreaks.”
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, said:
“This research shows that our wastewater system can be used to identify coronavirus hotspots early, which could significantly help our ability to contain local outbreaks.
“The project is an excellent example of how UKRI can work collaboratively to harness the strength of the UK research and innovation system to address rapidly emerging challenges.”