BOLTON is one of seven towns which has been involved in a scientific pilot study to track the movements of covid-19.

Since March, United Utilities has been helping researchers at Bangor University to study levels of the virus in several north west towns.

United Utilities has been providing the scientists with samples from seven sewage treatment plants in Bolton, Liverpool, Crewe, Lancaster, Barrow, Leigh and Meols, Wirral.

And the pilot project was so successful that the technique has now been rolled out by Defra across the UK.

Scientists have found that people with coronavirus release remnants of the virus in their faeces.

These remnants are not infectious however they can provide a useful and accurate indication of levels of the virus in a community, scientists said.

The results can provide health professionals with a clearer picture of infection rates by identifying where there are high numbers, particularly for asymptomatic carriers and before people start showing symptoms.

This will allow local authorities to take early action to slow the spread of the virus.

Executive cabinet member for environmental services delivery at Bolton Council, Adele Warren, said: "It is a barometer of what is going on in different areas.

"There are a lot of people who have the virus so this helps public health officials.

"It is a new virus and we are learning about it all the time.

"Our main aim is to keep as many people as safe as possible."

The data will be shared with NHS Test and Trace and inform where new outbreaks may be happening.

It means that public health professionals can encourage people to get tested or take extra precautions.

Professor Davey Jones led the Bangor University pilot project and explained that the testing process can play an important role in monitoring how the virus is reducing or spreading.

Prof Jones said: “We have discovered that people excrete remains of the virus as soon as they are infected and often before they show symptoms.

"That can give us a two and a half week lead on the statistics produced by hospitals when people are admitted.

"In other words, it can act as an early warning system if levels of the virus in society’s wastewater start to increase.”

Chief scientist at United Utilities, Charmian Abbott, said: “This is a really important scientific study and I’m delighted that we have been able to help out.

“While the virus is not infectious after it is excreted, raw sewage of course contains many other bacteria and viruses, so all of the workers and researchers are taking the usual hygiene precautions.

“We will continue to work in collaboration with the scientific community and the rest of the water industry as we all play our part to learn more about this new disease.”