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Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming?
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued clarification and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19 and treated recreational water venues
Tomas Leclerc, M.S. (Editor)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming?
Of course, it is refreshing to go to the swimming pool, whether is just taking a dip, swim laps, recreation, or maybe even taking swimming lessons.
But with this new Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic many are asking is it safe to go swimming?
Questions have been flooding like
can you still swim during the coronavirus?,
is swimming in a public pool safe during covid?,
is covid 19 a risk for public swimming pools?, or
will swimming pools open during covid19?
As you know, the now pandemic coronavirus COVID-19 has recently turned the world upside down.
We are all trying to cope with the many limitations and/or restrictions now imposed within our daily lives and activities, in order to help prevent spread the virus, such as washing your hands, social distancing and more importantly staying home.
We should all be taking measures to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
By now, we are familiarized with the recommended safety guidelines and these measures should be implemented and followed as much as possible. For example:
· Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theaters, bars, clubs, shopping malls, etc.
· Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.
This also applies to public swimming pools and fitness gyms as well.
Many countries are closing parks, recreational facilities, and swimming pools as well.
Whether is to prevent big social gatherings and/or avoiding contact with others as much as possible, it is to keep you safe.
But the question still remains is it still safe to have swimming as part of your training routine in light of the coronavirus pandemic?
For those facilities that are still opened, visitors to swimming pools are still reminded to shower before using the pool, to shower on leaving the pool and to follow the necessary hygiene precautions when visiting public places to help reduce the risk of infection.
But still, for most of us, regardless whether the pool is open or not steering clear of public swimming pools seems to be the best option for the time being.
The World Health Organisation has recommended chlorination level of 15mg.min/litre is sufficient to kill non-enveloped viruses such as poliovirus, rotavirus and coxsackievirus, and an enveloped virus such as Covid-19 would be inactivated at even lower levels, the document says.
Of course, it goes without saying that swimmers should follow the recommended health guidelines and avoid the swimming pool completely if they are feeling unwell, have a high temperature or have a new continuous cough.
The Water Safety Magazine agrees that people need to take responsibility in this regard and stay away to avoid potentially infecting others.
Some may not agree with that notion but best option whether you are sick or not, it is to stay home and not go to a public swimming pool for now.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued clarification and guidance on COVID-19 and treated recreational water venues. You can check the latest on that here in our CDC Coronavirus section.
The CDC has stated there is no evidence the virus can survive in a properly chlorinated and filtered pool. The advice and answers provided are useful to swimmers, swim programs and swimming venues.
The guidance in full:
Water Transmission and COVID-19
Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater: What You Need to Know
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?
· The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Is the COVID-19 virus found in feces?
· The virus that causes COVID-19 has been detected in the feces of some patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The amount of virus released from the body (shed) in stool, how long the virus is shed, and whether the virus in stool is infectious are not known.
· The risk of transmission of COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person is also unknown. However, the risk is expected to be low based on data from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). There have been no reports of fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 to date.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through pools and hot tubs?
· There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewerage systems?
· CDC is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as information becomes available. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through sewerage systems is thought to be low. Although transmission of COVID-19 through sewage may be possible, there is no evidence to date that this has occurred. This guidance will be updated as necessary as new evidence is assessed.
· SARS, a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14 days. In the 2003 SARS outbreak, there was documented transmission associated with sewage aerosols. Data suggest that standard municipal wastewater system chlorination practices may be sufficient to inactivate coronaviruses, as long as utilities monitor free available chlorine during treatment to ensure it has not been depleted.
· Wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed for current work tasks.
Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?
· Wastewater treatment plant operations should ensure workers follow routine practices to prevent exposure to wastewater. These include using engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and PPE normally required for work tasks when handling untreated wastewater. No additional COVID-19–specific protections are recommended for employees involved in wastewater management operations, including those at wastewater treatment facilities.
The Association of Aquatic Professionals has been monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and how that is impacting its global membership. They recently issued the abide guidance to members and noted: “We’ve heard from many of you with questions about how this virus might affect your own operations, especially in relation to treated pool water. Today, we have received clarification on this question from our partners with the CDC’s Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch.
“We will continue to work on gathering additional information that might be helpful to you as you prepare to manage and mitigate the spread of the virus in your local community. Our first priority is to provide you with resources that help you keep your guests and team members safe and healthy. Please look for additional Member Alerts from us in the coming days.”
Tomas
Leclerc is the owner of the consulting firm Aquatic Safety International, LLC.
He is an educator, mentor, manager, and water safety advocate. Mr. Leclerc is
passionate about teaching individuals how to be safe in & around the water,
& contributing to prevent drownings. He is an experienced, motivated,
driven, visionary, goal oriented, & dedicated aquatic safety educator &
a risk assessment professional with thousands of hours invested at many aquatic
facilities working for America's leading insurance companies helping facilities
be safer. Mr. Leclerc is a published author, & researcher, with several
publications in the area of aquatics, & was privileged to served for 4
years as an editorial review advisory board member with the International Journal
of Aquatic Research & Education. He has conducted research in lifeguard
training programs, water safety & have presented at several national
conferences. Specialties: Managing, Drowning Prevention, Water Safety Training,
Staff Training, Aquatic Health, Safety, & Risk Management Assessments,
Education Technology, Blended Learning, Marketing, Web Design, Swimming,
Triathlons, Water Polo.
Water Safety Magazine focuses on drowning prevention, and being safe in and around water. It serves the worldwide community in general to cover information about water safety as it relates to all aquatic activities in all aquatic environments. The mission is to educate, inform, have fun, and save lives, by producing an unique, and high-quality magazine to further educate and create awareness for the general public to be involved in water safety practices in order to contribute to reduce drowning around the world and help save lives.
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