Q : Can the COVID-19 Virus and Other Flu Related Viruses Live in Water? Can we get infected when we swim in the same public pool?
Answered by Dr Wong Chee Yeng, Paediatrician, Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus.
As we all know, we are living in a pandemic caused by the above very infectious virus.
A lot of us would have asked ourselves if the virus can live in water as water is a necessity of life.
Unfortunately, the answer is yes, it can survive in water for a few days, even potentially weeks.
There is a big BUT though.
The good news is although the virus can survive in water, it may not necessarily be present in large enough concentrations
to infect you.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) the COVID-19 coronavirus hasn’t been found in drinking water and based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.
What about in Malaysia?
The Ministry of Health Malaysia has established regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water.
These treatment requirements include filtration and applications of disinfectants such as chlorine that remove or kill pathogens before they reach the tap.
However, private wells using a shallow water table aquifer, such as dug or bored wells, and wells close to a failed/failing septic tank would be at risk of microbial contamination.
What about the use of swimming pools and water playgrounds?
According to the CDC, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to the people via the water in swimming pools and water playgrounds.
Additionally, proper operation of these aquatic venues and disinfection of the water (with chlorine or bromine) should inactivate the virus.
However, it is recommended that you keep a physical distance of at least 2 meters from other people when you’re at a public swimming pool.
Of course, it goes without saying that swimmers should avoid the swimming pool completely if they are feeling unwell, have a high temperature, or have a new continuous cough.
