Researchers in Ohio are currently testing sewage to determine the presence of COVID-19 in the state, which could provide groundbreaking research in slowing the spread of the virus.The Ohio Department of Health is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Resource Center to conduct the study.According to a release from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, researchers are sampling from several of Ohio’s municipal sewage and wastewater treatment systems, including right here in Cincinnati, to determine the presence of coronavirus ribonucleic acid fragments in feces. The Ohio EPA said RNA fragments are present in the feces of someone who was either symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19. By examining wastewater, researchers can gauge the spread of COVID-19 within the state, track disease trends and formulate a plan to limit the spread of COVID-19.”Through this research initiative, data from samples gathered in sewage collection systems’ raw wastewater may provide an early warning of disease occurrence in a community and possibly an estimation of the disease prevalence,” the Ohio EPA said.Officials said the presence of the RNA fragments in feces could be a “leading indicator of rising infections,” giving leaders and researchers the ability to monitor a certain building or at-risk community, even before the level of confirmed cases is being reported to the public. Data shows that the virus can be detected in the wastewater of an infected person around three to seven days before there is an increase in cases or hospitalizations across the state.The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, which provides wastewater collection and treatment services to 800,000 people in the Greater Cincinnati area, is participating in the study. Cincinnati MSD has been providing influent wastewater samples from its seven major wastewater plants, including its largest facility at Mill Creek, which serves the central part of Hamilton County, to be used for research since mid-June.Officials with the U.S. EPA said the research lab in Cincinnati is its largest water-related research lab, so “it was a natural place for this to happen.”From mid-June to the end of the year, Cincinnati MSD will be pilot monitoring the study, where samples will be be collected from up to 20 plants throughout the state.In addition to Cincinnati, the wastewater testing is being conducted in other large cities in Ohio right now, including Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo and Dayton. Researchers are working to reach out to smaller communities, too, to expand their sampling as much as possible.The Ohio Department of Health, the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA are closely coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control as its research progresses.”Ohio’s leadership role in this research will help advance this emerging scientific area and provide important data to public health officials statewide,” the Ohio EPA said.Anyone interested in learning more about this study is encouraged to contact their local health department or the Ohio Department of Health.
CINCINNATI —
Researchers in Ohio are currently testing sewage to determine the presence of COVID-19 in the state, which could provide groundbreaking research in slowing the spread of the virus.
The Ohio Department of Health is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Resource Center to conduct the study.
According to a release from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, researchers are sampling from several of Ohio’s municipal sewage and wastewater treatment systems, including right here in Cincinnati, to determine the presence of coronavirus ribonucleic acid fragments in feces.
The Ohio EPA said RNA fragments are present in the feces of someone who was either symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19. By examining wastewater, researchers can gauge the spread of COVID-19 within the state, track disease trends and formulate a plan to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Through this research initiative, data from samples gathered in sewage collection systems’ raw wastewater may provide an early warning of disease occurrence in a community and possibly an estimation of the disease prevalence,” the Ohio EPA said.
Officials said the presence of the RNA fragments in feces could be a “leading indicator of rising infections,” giving leaders and researchers the ability to monitor a certain building or at-risk community, even before the level of confirmed cases is being reported to the public. Data shows that the virus can be detected in the wastewater of an infected person around three to seven days before there is an increase in cases or hospitalizations across the state.
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, which provides wastewater collection and treatment services to 800,000 people in the Greater Cincinnati area, is participating in the study. Cincinnati MSD has been providing influent wastewater samples from its seven major wastewater plants, including its largest facility at Mill Creek, which serves the central part of Hamilton County, to be used for research since mid-June.
Officials with the U.S. EPA said the research lab in Cincinnati is its largest water-related research lab, so “it was a natural place for this to happen.”
From mid-June to the end of the year, Cincinnati MSD will be pilot monitoring the study, where samples will be be collected from up to 20 plants throughout the state.
In addition to Cincinnati, the wastewater testing is being conducted in other large cities in Ohio right now, including Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo and Dayton. Researchers are working to reach out to smaller communities, too, to expand their sampling as much as possible.
The Ohio Department of Health, the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA are closely coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control as its research progresses.
“Ohio’s leadership role in this research will help advance this emerging scientific area and provide important data to public health officials statewide,” the Ohio EPA said.
Anyone interested in learning more about this study is encouraged to contact their local health department or the Ohio Department of Health.
