Durham Health is monitoring region’s wastewater for signs of Covid-19 virus, according to Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle.
“The newest weekly update is on wastewater surveillance. The Health Department has partnered with the Works Department and Ontario Tech University to analyze wastewater samples from seven sites in southern Durham Region to measure fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Covid-19),” he said.
“People with Covid-19 can shed the virus in their stool, regardless of whether they have symptoms, have been tested for, or diagnosed with Covid-19. The amount of virus in wastewater can be measured by collecting samples from wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations. Wastewater surveillance is a new and emerging field, and we are still learning how to interpret the connection between Covid-19 in wastewater and the level of infection in the community. It is hoped that this surveillance may some day provide early warning of excess Covid-19 in a community that had low incidence of the disease or where there is insufficient testing,” he added.
Referring to the Durham Region Covid-19 Data Tracker, Dr. Kyle said results for the past four weeks are more stable than daily or weekly reporting for populations like Durham Region where case numbers vary greatly from day to day. For Ontario numbers, residents can refer to Covid-19.ontario.ca/data.
Residents should also be aware that flu season is beginning and reporting on the Flu Tracker, durham.ca/flucases, has resumed. This includes reporting of flu cases, institutional respiratory outbreaks (excluding Covid-19 outbreaks), and absenteeism in child care centres, elementary schools and secondary schools. Although there have been no flu cases reported to the Health Department yet this season and there were only two cases last year, more flu is expected to circulate in the community this year as more people gather, attend school, and go into workplaces. The flu shot will be available to all residents in November.
He urged residents to get their flu shots.
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