Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 1, 2020

Potential spreading risks and disinfection challenges of medical wastewater by the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA in septic tanks of Fangcang hospital

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  • Zhang et al. identified SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in septic tanks of Wuchang Fangcang Hospital after disinfection with sodium hypochlorite (bleach). They posit that the virus may embed in fecal particles that resist disinfection. The liquid waste showed no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA when overdosed with sodium hypochlorite but this resulted in high a level of disinfection by-product residuals, possessing significant ecological risks. It is unknown whether the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA alone poses any risk as a source of infection.

Zhang et al. (Apr 30, 2020). Potential spreading risks and disinfection challenges of medical wastewater by the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA in septic tanks of Fangcang hospital. Pre-print downloaded May 1 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.28.20083832