The USask Global Institute for Water Security wastewater survey for Prince Albert shows that the COVID-19 viral RNA load in Prince Albert’s has decreased by 18.2 per cent.
The update was not available until Jan. 12 because of technical issues with the institute’s website for most of the week.
The number is based on averages of three individual daily measurements in this reporting period up to Jan. 1 which are then compared to the weekly average of the previous week.
This week’s viral load of approximately 40,900 gene copies / 100 mL SARS-CoV-2 is the 48th highest value observed during the pandemic.
This concentration of viral particles is considered “low” because it is lower than 50,000 gene copies /100 mL, considered the maximum value for a low infection level in Prince Albert
The proportions of SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in Prince Albert’s wastewater by variant were not available this week.
All data has been shared with Saskatchewan health authorities.
The research team is also screening for the top three variants of concern: Alpha (B.1.1.7), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617). Additional variants will be added to the panel as the situation evolves.
USask and Global Water Futures researchers are using wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19) in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and North Battleford wastewater, providing early warning of infection outbreaks. This work is being done in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Public Health Agency of Canada, City of Saskatoon, City of Prince Albert and City of North Battleford.
This variant tracking data should be seen merely as an indicator of trends which need to be verified using sequencing technology through the Public Health Agency of Canada. Because individuals are at varying stages of infection when shedding the virus, the variant levels detected in sewage are not necessarily directly comparable to the proportion of variant cases found in individual swab samples confirmed through provincial genetic sequencing efforts.
editorial@paherald.sk.ca
