The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a member of the Coronavirus family that was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China on December 12, 2019 To date, more than 89,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus resulting in more than 3,00 deaths. It is believed to be primarily spread through person-to-person contact; however, concerns have risen about the possibility for fecal-oral transmission. The potential for fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 needs further research to define the potential implications for wastewater management, including onsite wastewater disinfection, as part of efforts to control COVID-19 transmission. The survival, infectivity, and concentrations remain to be confirmed.
Due to the potential for this disease to spread worldwide, it is important that water sector professionals remain informed regarding ongoing information of this virus and any measures needed to protect both workers and public health in general. The Water Research Foundation is hosting this webcast to provide technical updates and information on Novel Coronavirus. Our world-renowned presenters are experts in infectious disease control, virology, water engineering, outbreak epidemiology, pandemic trends, and risk emergency response. Our speakers will provide participants with technical details, resources, and published public health recommendations as we continue to learn more about this ongoing outbreak.
Speakers:
Peter Grevatt, PhD, CEO – The Water Research Foundation
Dr. Charles Haas – Drexel University, WRF Academic Council
Jonathan Yoder – Water Preparedness and Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Rasha Maal-Bared – EPCOR Water, Chair of the WEF Waterborne Infectious Disease Outbreak Control (WIDOC) Working Group of the Disinfection and Public Health Committee
Dr. Mark Sobsey – Gillings Schools of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Dr. Lisa Casanova – Georgia State University
Dr. Kyle Bibby – University of Notre Dame
Dr. Dan Deere – Water Quality Specialist at Water Futures, Australia
Moderator:
Lola Olabode, MPH, BCES, The Water Research Foundation