A few weeks ago, researchers detected traces of the virus in wastewater, raising doubts about its possible circulation in seawater. The French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea conducted a first study on the subject, and the results are, he says, "reassuring". 

As the long Ascension weekend begins, many beaches have already been able to reopen in France, in the North, in Finistère, in Côtes-d'Armor, in Vendée, or in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Pyrenees -Atlantic. And the French will be able to enjoy it without fear. If a few weeks ago, there was still a doubt about a possible circulation of the coronavirus in sea water, Ifremer (the French research institute for the exploitation of the sea) conducted a first study on the subject, and the results are, he says, "reassuring". 

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"No trace of Sars-Cov 2 in the shells"

To carry out this study, the researchers carried out PCR tests in the digestive tissues of oysters and mussels. Analyzes also carried out on seawater samples in all the maritime zones of the country. "For the moment, in the shells, we have never detected any trace of Sars-COV 2. Especially since for this study we put ourselves in areas very contaminated by the discharge of wastewater, so we have maximized the chances to find the virus, "says Soizick Le Guyader, virologist at Ifremer, at the microphone of Europe 1.

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Yes to swimming ... but respecting social distancing

So you can enjoy seafood without fear. And no trace of the virus in seawater either. Even if other researchers had detected Covid-19 in wastewater, this study by Ifremer shows that the virus does not survive even in the sea. the problem of proximity between bathers ... so you can swim but always respecting the safety distance!