Coronavirus in wastewater: SARS-CoV-2 continues to progress

Published on 21/07/2020

SARS-Cov-2 is found in almost all wastewater and a sharp increase in its concentration has been observed in the south of the country.

SARS-COV-2 IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

As of 14 July the latest results of our CORONASTEP+ study indicate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in almost all of the sites sampled: from Bettembourg to Schifflange as well as Beggen. Only samples from the Troisvierges site appear negative.

Since 25 June, a resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 has been observed in the country's wastewater. This development, with an increase in the number of positive cases, confirms the high sensitivity and interest in LIST’s methodology for coronavirus surveillance in Luxembourg.

A STRONG INCREASE IN SARS-COV-2 CONCENTRATION

LIST’s latest report also shows a sharp increase in RNA (Ribonucleic acid) concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in treatment plants in Luxembourg. In other words, characteristic segments of the genetic identity card of this coronavirus are found in higher concentrations.

The Bettembourg and Pétange wastewater treatment plants appear to be the most affected, with an almost tripled increase in concentration since June. Conversely, the sites in Hesperange and in the north of the country are seeing a lower and more stable concentration over time. However, the method still needs to be refined in order to clarify the significance that can concluded from small amplitude variations in SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations.

These observations corroborate the evolution of the number of cases confirmed by clinical tests carried out on a large scale in the Grand Duchy and confirm that water monitoring method is an effective pre-alert system of virus resurgence in the population.

 

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