Researchers doing wastewater testing find COVID-19 spikes in Saskatoon and North Battleford

Coronavirus particles have spiked in Saskatoon and North Battleford wastewater, according to the latest report from researchers studying it.

That means COVID-19 numbers will likely leap in the coming weeks in those cities.

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan continue to monitor the wastewater fromthree Saskatchewan cities for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causesCOVID-19.

The Global Institute for Water Security said on its website that there has been an increase in viral RNA (Ribonucleic acid) in samples taken from the wastewater treatment plants in Saskatoon andNorth Battlefordover the last week.

Data from Sept. 15to Sept. 22 for Saskatoon shows a 99per cent week-over-week increase in viral load in the city's wastewater, according to the institute.

This increase is indicative of a rise in COVID-19infections in Saskatoon. The institute says that in a partially vaccinated population, these numbers may or may not be reflected by a increase in case numbers in upcoming weeks.

Meanwhile, researchers found a 67 per centweek-over-week increase in viral RNA load in North Battleford's wastewater from Sept. 10 to Sept. 16.

All of the variant viral load in Saskatoon and North Battlefordwastewater is the delta variant.

There are no updates on Prince Albert wastewater data this week due to issues with the samples, according to the institute.Samples will be re-run, and if successful, results will be included in next Monday's report.

A 33 per cent week-over-week decrease in viral RNA load in Prince Albert's wastewater was observed during the last reporting period, up to Sept.13.