Summer is fast approaching, and people are looking for ways to cool themselves. It is worth understanding how going for a dip in swimming facilities influences the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

Though swimming itself does not appear to pose any extra risks virus-wise, experts still caution people on pool parties.

Purdue University Environmental Engineer, Ernest Blatchley, who studies the reaction of disinfectants in swimming pool against the contaminants and pathogens in it, said that in a well-operated pool, the water should present minimal risk and probably an acceptable risk for most people.

However, the risk of transmission of the virus in the pool setting is not impossible because people do not spend all their time underwater, Blatchley added. A swimmer might become infected with COVID-19 from a viral droplet coming from the sneeze of another person, or through touching surfaces in the changing room or shower.

According to him, the pool is no exception for social distancing rules to avoid contaminated surfaces, and breathing air from someone nearby.

Can SARS-CoV-2 Live in the Water?

The Centers for Disease Control explained that there is "no clear evidence" that SARS-CoV-2- the virus that causes COVID-19 - can be spread to people through the water in pools, spas, hot tubs, or other water play areas.

It is highly unlikely for the virus to stay alive in swimming pools because it contains chlorine and other common disinfectants, such as bromine, ozone, or UV sanitizer that likely kill the virus. According to a study, chlorine can disarm microorganisms in just 30 minutes.

Charles Gerba, a microbiologist and virologist from the University of Arizona, studying how viruses survive in water, told Inverse, that chlorine does an excellent job of killing bacteria and infections, even those difficult ones such as the SARS-CoV-2.

Although chlorine is a strong and popular disinfectant, it is still not well understood how this chemical can deactivate viruses.

It is believed that chlorine can damage the proteins and nucleic acids in the virus to prevent them from infecting a host cell and inhibit reproduction, therefore rendering them harmless.

Meanwhile, UV light from UV pool sanitizers also destroys the nucleic acid of bacteria and viruses. It is often paired with chlorine to wipe harmful microorganisms in water. Blatchley added that outdoor pools might be better than indoor pools because they are exposed to sunlight and makes surfaces less risky on harboring viruses.

Furthermore, Gerba said that saltwater pools are less likely to be low-risk because salt cells use electrolysis to generate chlorine from the salt in the water. Plus, these viruses are also less likely to survive in seawater than freshwater, so contamination would be seen as a lower risk.

According to Blatchley, the problem is not really in the water, but in the things surrounding the pool that presents the risk. Being in a full place can increase the risk of becoming infected, because whether a person is in water or standing in the mall, what matters is the air that people are breathing.

Can You Get COVID-19 In Swimming Pools: Is it Safe to Swim?

As mentioned above, water does not really pose any danger for a person to catch the virus but its surroundings. Public health authorities have released precautionary measures for pool-goers to follow, such as practicing social distancing, avoiding surfaces that are potentially contaminated, washing the hands regularly, and avoiding touching one's face.

Gerba added that showering before going into the pool would also help, and as long as the pool is chlorinated and people practice the health measures set by public health officials, pools are okay.