by: thia james
omicron is now the dominant covid-19 variant of concern in saskatoon, according to analysis of the city’s saskatoon’s wastewater data.
researchers with the global institute for water security at the university of saskatchewan are tracking the presence of sars-cov-2 in wastewater in three saskatchewan cities — saskatoon, prince albert and north battleford. the data, released weekly, is considered to be an advance signal of what to expect to see reflected soon in case numbers in the community.
according to the latest sampling, saskatoon wastewater data showed the most significant increases in several weeks. despite the increase in overall viral load, the amounts are still well below levels detected in saskatoon’s wastewater in late summer to early fall.
the data for dec. 16-22 shows an 808.2 per cent increase compared to the previous reporting period — 4,597 per 100 millilitres — and it contributes 64.1 per cent of the overall viral load. the viral load of sars-cov-2 has increased 87.7 per cent since the previous period, with 8,561 per 100 ml detected in wastewater sampling.
“this increase in viral rna load is indicative of an increase in sars-cov-2 infections in saskatoon, which — in a partially vaccinated population — may or may not be reflected by new case numbers in upcoming weeks,” the
status and trend report through dec. 22 said
.