There are few signs that the surge of Omicron has levelled off, but researchers are “cautiously optimistic”. Data from sewage testing facilities for COVID-19 across Ontario suggests that infection rates have started to plateau. However, experts say the levels of the Omicron variant appear to still be high.
An associate professor of biological science at Ontario Tech University, Andrea Kirkwood is one of the many researchers involved in testing wastewater for COVID-19. She explained that at the beginning of the month cases “spiked really high… But now it’s plateaued,” Kirkwood’s team monitors 11 wastewater sites, including Durham Region and Simcoe-Muskoka.
The surge in Omicron has made it difficult for PCR testing in Ontario and other provinces. As a result, researchers are looking at wastewater samples for traces of the virus. Even before an infected person shows symptoms, they will start to excrete bits of the disease in their feces. The genetic material takes on the form of RNA which researchers can monitor and detect.
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