The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, based at Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., urges families and individuals to use caution before visiting beach areas or other lake-related gathering spaces this summer; however, there is less concern for activities out on the open water or in the water itself.
At this time, there is no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 in surface water of lakes
and streams. Coronavirus may be present in untreated wastewater or sewage that contains human waste, but it has not been found to be stable in a water environment. There is, however, more opportunity for coronavirus to spread between people gathering at a lake or stream if social distancing is not practiced. Follow CDC and State of Indiana guidelines; those can be found at: www.coronavirus.in.gov.
As they are made available, Lilly Center researchers will continue to monitor scientific studies for new information. Weekly research, education and collaboration updates will be posted to the center’s Facebook page (@centerforlakes) and on their blog (lakes.grace.edu/field-notes).
