Research in Hong Kong Utilizes Wastewater to Identify Covid-19 and Potentially Other Illnesses

“An innovative technology, originating from Hong Kong, has been found to utilize sewage tracking as a means to identify Covid-19. The method’s potential doesn’t stop there, as it could also be used to trace other illnesses such as influenza and dengue fever. This groundbreaking technique has already been implemented in over 100 cities across mainland China.

The brainchild of this technology hails from the University of Hong Kong (HKU). The team behind the innovation made this breakthrough amidst the global pandemic, discovering that sewage holds more vital information beyond just waste flow.

“Sewage is not just a conduit for waste, but also a channel for water, resources, energy, and most importantly, information,” stated Professor Zhang Tong from the university’s Civil Engineering Department in an interview conducted last Tuesday.

Professor Tong emphasized the significance of sewage surveillance, calling it an essential component of a smart city infrastructure.

The exploration into the potential of sewage tracking for Covid-19 detection started as a government-sponsored project. It was financially supported by the Health Bureau’s Health and Medical Research Fund.

With the aid of the fund, the HKU team successfully established 26 sewage surveillance points across Hong Kong in the latter part of 2020. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the use of this technology for disease detection and prevention.

This technological breakthrough could be a lucrative investment opportunity, with its potential to revolutionize public health and disease surveillance. However, the primary focus of this article is to inform and highlight the importance of this innovation, rather than to serve as an investment guide.”

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