Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 genome fragment in urban, peri-urban and rural water bodies: a temporal and comparative analysis

As a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, water bodies connected to anthropogenic activities may likely reveal the presence of viral genetic material. Urban, peri-urban and rural water bodies in and around Hydera-bad, Telangana, India, were monitored for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 gene fragments during the first and second wave of COVID-19 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 genes were not detected in peri-urban and rural lakes, whereas urban lakes having direct functional attributes from domestic activity showed prevalence. Distinct vari-ability in viral load observed among five water bodies was in concordance with human activity in the catch -ment area. High viral load was observed during the peaks of the first and second waves, specifically in urban lakes.