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Article
Wastewater Sample Site Selection to Estimate Geographically Resolved Community Prevalence of COVID-19: A Sampling Protocol Perspective
Faculty Scholarship
  • R. Yeager, University of Louisville
  • R. H. Holm, University of Louisville
  • K. Saurabh, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center
  • J. L. Fuqua, University of Louisville
  • D. Talley, Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Center
  • A. Bhatnagar, University of Louisville
  • T. Smith, University of Louisville
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2021
Department
Medicine
Disciplines
Abstract

Wastewater monitoring for virus infections within communities can complement conventional clinical surveillance. Currently, most SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) clinical testing is voluntary and inconsistently available, except for a few occupational and educational settings, and therefore likely underrepresents actual population prevalence. Randomized testing on a regular basis to estimate accurate population-level infection rates is prohibitively costly and is hampered by a range of limitations and barriers associated with participation in clinical research. In comparison, community-level fecal monitoring can be performed through wastewater surveillance to effectively surveil communities. However, epidemiologically defined protocols for wastewater sample site selection are lacking. Herein, we describe methods for developing a geographically resolved population-level wastewater sampling approach in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and present preliminary results. Utilizing this site selection protocol, samples (n = 237) were collected from 17 wastewater catchment areas, September 8 to October 30, 2020 from one to four times per week in each area and compared to concurrent clinical data aggregated to wastewater catchment areas and county level. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was consistently present in wastewater during the studied period, and varied by area. Data obtained using the site selection protocol showed variation in geographically resolved wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration compared to clinical rates. These findings highlight the importance of neighborhood-equivalent spatial scales and provide a promising approach for viral epidemic surveillance, thus better guiding spatially targeted public health mitigation strategies.

DOI
10.1029/2021GH000420
ORCID
0000-0001-8849-1390
Citation Information
R. Yeager, R. H. Holm, K. Saurabh, J. L. Fuqua, et al.. "Wastewater Sample Site Selection to Estimate Geographically Resolved Community Prevalence of COVID-19: A Sampling Protocol Perspective" (2021)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/rochelle-holm/15/