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Researchers doing wastewater testing find COVID-19 spikes in Saskatoon and North Battleford

Coronavirus particles have spiked in Saskatoon and North Battleford wastewater, according to this week's report. That means COVID-19 numbers will likely leap in the coming weeks.

Latest Saskatoon data shows a 99 per cent week-over-week increase in viral load.

Laura Sciarpelletti · CBC News ·
A look at the UV filtering system used at the City of Saskatoon's wastewater treatment plant. (Submitted by the City of Saskatoon)

Coronavirus particles have spiked in Saskatoon and North Battleford wastewater, according to the latest report from researchers studying it.

That means COVID-19 numbers will likely leap in the coming weeks in those cities.

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan continue to monitor the wastewater from three Saskatchewan cities for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Global Institute for Water Security said on its website that there has been an increase in viral RNA (Ribonucleic acid) in samples taken from the wastewater treatment plants in Saskatoon and North Battleford over the last week.

(Global Institute for Water Security)

Data from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22 for Saskatoon shows a 99 per cent week-over-week increase in viral load in the city's wastewater, according to the institute.

This increase is indicative of a rise in COVID-19 infections in Saskatoon. The institute says that in a partially vaccinated population, these numbers may or may not be reflected by a increase in case numbers in upcoming weeks.

(Global Institute for Water Security)

Meanwhile, researchers found a 67 per cent week-over-week increase in viral RNA load in North Battleford's wastewater from Sept. 10 to Sept. 16. 

All of the variant viral load in Saskatoon and North Battleford wastewater is the delta variant.

There are no updates on Prince Albert wastewater data this week due to issues with the samples, according to the institute. Samples will be re-run, and if successful, results will be included in next Monday's report. 

A 33 per cent week-over-week decrease in viral RNA load in Prince Albert's wastewater was observed during the last reporting period, up to Sept. 13. 

(Global Institute for Water Security)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Sciarpelletti

Journalist & Radio Columnist

Laura is a journalist for CBC Saskatchewan. She is also the community reporter for CBC's virtual road trip series Land of Living Stories and host of the arts and culture radio column Queen City Scene Setter, which airs on CBC's The Morning Edition. Laura previously worked for CBC Vancouver. Some of her former work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, NYLON Magazine, VICE Canada and The Tyee. Laura specializes in human interest, arts and health care coverage. She holds a master of journalism degree from the University of British Columbia. Send Laura news tips at laura.sciarpelletti@cbc.ca

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