How your sewage could help track coronavirus in your neighbourhood The University of Calgary and the University of Alberta have been collecting and analyzing wastewater samples for traces of the virus since May of 2020.
That research has since expanded into a pan-Alberta network, with widespread data currently testing 24 communities from Fort McMurray to Lethbridge.And while PCR testing has traditionally been a key driver for public policy in previous waves of the pandemic, reduced access to provincial tests and increased options for at-home testing means positive case counts are much less accurate.For the readings in Lethbridge, Campbell said samples shared with researchers are from the entire city and some surrounding communities.“We take a sample right at the main intake to the plant, so sort of a 24-hour composite sample of all the wastewater streams coming into the City of Lethbridge.
It doesn’t discriminate between south, west or north. And we also have a couple of regional customers such as Coalhurst and other small outlying communities that are attached to the city system.” New wastewater data expected to paint a much more accurate picture of Alberta’s COVID spread Dr.
Xiao Li Pang, co-lead with Pan-Alberta Network for Wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 Monitoring, said the numbers show Lethbridge is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases because of Omicron.“From wave five, you can see quantification compared to wave four and wave three is dramatically increasing,” Dr.