Researchers in Ohio are currently testing sewage to determine the presence of COVID-19 in the state, which could provide groundbreaking research in slowing the spread of the virus.

The Ohio Department of Health is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Resource Center to conduct the study.

According to a release from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, researchers are sampling from several of Ohio’s municipal sewage and wastewater treatment systems, including right here in Cincinnati, to determine the presence of coronavirus ribonucleic acid fragments in feces.

The Ohio EPA said RNA fragments are present in the feces of someone who was either symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19. By examining wastewater, researchers can gauge the spread of COVID-19 within the state, track disease trends and formulate a plan to limit the spread of COVID-19.