UofSC scientists searching sewers for coronavirus evidence in South Carolina

University of South Carolina scientists are measuring sewage in an effort to find a way to trace coronavirus indicators.

Coronavirus is known to be in feces and the study will help determine if sewer testing is a reliable warning or tracking method, according to a statement from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, which is partially funding the study with a $65,000 grant.

The study is looking at eight sewer sites in South Carolina, two in Texas and one in San Francisco.

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The data will be fed into a computer model for the national Centers for Disease Control and from there could be used to predict coronavirus spikes.

The testing will likely take months of work to confirm accuracy and get usable results, according to a statement from the university.

Environmental health sciences professor Sean Norman is leading a team investigating the sewers, they wear full protective gear. His lab  was given special permission to stay open as much of the rest of the university was closed.