11.05.2020, Istanbul

Several countries are conducting scientific research to monitor the presence of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewaters in their combat against the COVID-19 pandemic. The main purpose of these studies is to see the distribution and trends of the virus and thus have a tool to be able take early measures.

 
Under the coordination of SUEN and with support of State Hydraulic Works, General Directorate of Food and Control, General Directorate of Water Management and Marmara University Environmental Engineering Department, a study is implemented to monitor the virus in wastewaters in Turkey. With the analyses made, the trends of cases in the region to where wastewater treatment plants serve will be observed, the possibility of a second wave will be evaluated and virus detection will be enabled for the reuse of wastewaters in agriculture.

 
Within this scope, a preprint titled as “First Data-Set on SARS-CoV-2 Detection for Istanbul Wastewaters in Turkey” is now online on MedRixv (https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.03.20089417v1) demonstrating the preliminary results of the study to track the virus in wastewaters in multiple points in Istanbul with the highest COVID-19 cases in Turkey.

With this study, Turkey takes part among the countries; namely Australia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and US, which carry out SARS-CoV-2 detection works in wastewaters. The study is expanded to include other provinces in Turkey so that the quantitative distribution of the epidemy will be followed.