Traces of inactive Coronavirus found in water sample from Sabarmati river

Traces of inactive Coronavirus have been found in water samples collected from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. According to sources, the virus is inactive and non-transmissible and hence there is no need to panic.

Ahmedabad: Testing of water bodies in Ahmedabad has led to the detection of traces of inactive coronavirus. The samples were collected from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. According to IIT scientists, there is no need to panic as the virus is dead and non-transmissible. Investigation of samples collected from the Sabarmati river, Kankaria, and Chandola lakes led to the revelation.

Manish Kumar, a scientist working in the Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar addressed the media regarding the revelation. Sources said water samples were collected between September and December 2020.

Kumar said three Coronavirus genes were detected from Sabarmati river. RT-PCR test of the RNA turned positive. "However, there is no serious concern as the virus is dead. There is no chance for transmission also. The water is fit for all purposes including irrigation," he said.

The tests were carried out according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization that recommended testing of water bodies for the virus. The research study has the potential to help in combating the pandemic in the future.