The University of Missouri, the state health department, and the Department of Natural Resources are working together with local cities to test wastewater—and find out more about how the coronavirus spreads.
Springfield and now Branson have joined the program, sending their samples to the state, who will then have them tested by the University.
The method used was first done in Europe. The BBC reports Italian scientists using the same method found evidence of the coronavirus in Italy as early as December. China reported their first case in late December.
Mike Ray, director of utilities in Branson, says they wanted to replicate the study here, but found themselves unable without more advanced equipment.
Sixty-five other cities in Missouri are also participating in the program.
