UHS to estimate virus cases from sewage in Lahore

University to collect samples with WASA help from 30 places in Lahore

LAHORE: The University of Health Sciences (UHS) will estimate the number of coronavirus cases by testing samples of sewage from various areas.

A UHS spokesperson stated on Sunday that the university would collect the samples with the help of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) from 30 places of the provincial capital as a pilot project.

He said that RT-PCR tests of the sewage water samples would be conducted, which would show the extent of virus transmission around the area.

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“WASA authorities would finalise the areas from where sewage samples would be collected,” said the UHS spokesperson. He maintained that the decision has been taken after observing that the rate of tests conducted for Covid-19 was low as compared to the population and citizens showed reservations over sealing of specific areas during the smart lockdown.

He continued that the government has been informed about the scientific study by collecting sewage samples.

The WASA public relations office said that the UHS has not yet contacted the agency for sample collections; however, the department would cooperate with the university, if requested.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2020.