Wastewater tests indicate increase in COVID-19

By ZACHARY MARANO

zmarano@yourdailyglobe.com

HOUGHTON — Recent wastewater monitoring indicates that communities in the western Upper Peninsula will see another increase in COVID-19 cases, according to a release from the Western U.P. Health Department on Monday.

The health department has partnered with local wastewater monitoring systems as part of a continued statewide effort in Michigan to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the release says. They are testing wastewater samples for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to the release, this is the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

“Recent routine testing has shown an increasing trend in detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the following communities: Baraga, Bessemer, Chassell, Copper Harbor, Hancock, Houghton, Ironwood, L’Anse, South Range, Wakefield and Watersmeet. This upward trend is an early indicator that COVID-19 cases in the community are increasing,” the release says.

The detection of SARS-CoV-2 can precede an increase in positive clinical tests in a community, the release says. The virus can be shed in the feces of people who are infected, including those who are infected but are not experiencing any symptoms.

Of 16 total samples tested from the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Authority, 13 tested positive for the N1 and N2 genes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Of 14 total samples from the Bessemer Area Sewer Authority, 11 tested positive. Of 14 total samples from Wakefield Wastewater Sewage Lagoons, eight tested positive. Of six total samples from Watersmeet Wastewater Lagoons, five tested positive. All numbers are from the Michigan COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard.

Based on this information and clinical case data, the Western U.P. Health Department is increasing public health communication in affected communities, alerting health care providers and congregate living facilities to prepare for a potential increase in cases and increasing testing and vaccination efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The health department once again noted the importance of getting vaccinated and other preventative measures such as frequent handwashing, social distancing and wearing face masks in public setting. These measures prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 suggests high rates of community transmission.

“If you are sick, stay home. If your kids are sick, do not send them to school. If you are exposed to a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and you are not vaccinated, you need to stay home and quarantine for 10 days,” the release says. “If you test positive for COVID-19, it is your responsibility to notify your close contacts that they have been exposed and need to quarantine.”

The release also says that the health department does not have the capacity to contact all positive individuals because of the sheer number of cases. Due to grant budget and laboratory capacity, wastewater surveillance is not conducted in all communities in the western Upper Peninsula.