SEWAGE from the Southampton area is being checked for signs of coronavirus.

A government-led project is detecting traces of the virus in wastewater, providing an early warning of local outbreaks, and sharing the data with NHS Test and Trace.

The project has proven that fragments of genetic material from Covid-19 can be found in sewage.

Results can provide local health professionals with a clearer picture of infection rates by pinpointing areas with high numbers, often before people show symptoms.

Those living in the areas affected and then encouraged to get tested or take extra precautions.

The project has already proved its worth south-west England, where sewage sampling showed an increase in coronavirus material despite a relatively low numbers of people seeking tests.

Information was passed to NHS Test and Trace and local councils, enabling them to alert health bodies to the increased risk.

Testing is now being conducted in mire than 90 towns and cities across the UK, including Southampton.

Environment secretary George Eustice said: "This is a significant step forward in giving us a clearer idea of infection rates both nationally and locally, particularly in areas where there may be large numbers of people who aren’t showing any symptoms and therefore aren’t seeking tests.

“NHS Test and Trace is able to use the science to ensure local health leads are alerted and can take action

“We are continuing to look at how this programme can be refined as one of the many measures we’re using to slow the spread of the virus and protect local communities.”

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: “This initiative is just one example of how we are working across government and with local partners to find innovative, new ways to track the outbreak, slow the spread of the virus and save lives.

"Monitoring and sampling wastewater offers another tool to help us identify outbreaks early on – helping NHS Test and Trace and local authorities target hotspots quickly and effectively.

“As we see an increase in cases across the country, it remains vitally important that everyone continues to follow Hands, Face and Space, gets a test and self-isolates if they display any coronavirus symptoms and follows the advice of NHS Test and Trace.”

The World Health Organization is clear that the likelihood of coronavirus being transmitted via sewerage systems is extremely low or negligible.