Burying COVID-19 victims could lead to contamination of waterways: Expert

There is a risk of COVID-19 virus contaminating water within the soil if those who succumb to the disease are buried, an expert said yesterday.

Professor Menthika Withanage said there is a risk element in this regard though there is no scientific evidence to prove it.

“Research has revealed that COVID-19 virus could survive even in streams and other waterways,” Professor Withanage said.

She said the Ministry of Health has appointed a special committee to look into the matter.

“COVID-19 virus is still new to the world as it was discovered only around ten months ago,” she added.