Researchers have found a ‘detectable level’ of the novel coronavirus for the first time in samples of beach water, reported by China Press.
A team from the University of Minnesota Medical School had trace amounts of SARS-CoV-2 in the water of Brighton Beach, 42nd Avenue East Beach, Franklin Park Beach and Lief Erickson Park Beach in mid September. Source of the virus is unknown for now.
Somehow, there is no evidence the virus can be transmitted through lake or beach water, but it may contain clues about how the virus has spread throughout the community.
The researchers found between 100 copies and 1,000 copies of the virus per liter which is about 10,000 times lower than levels found in wastewater (toilet water that travels through a drainage system to a treatment facility).
Dr Richard Melvin, an assistant professor at the Medical School in Duluth believes swimmers are transferring the virus into the beach water. But anyhow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not aware of any scientific reports that indicate the virus can spread to people through exposure of water.