Relationships between SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater and COVID-19 Clinical Cases and Hospitalizations, with and without Normalization against Indicators of Human Waste

• DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00045
• Publication Date: 2022-05-26T13:04:51Z
• Authors: Qingyu Zhan; Kristina M. Babler; Mark E. Sharkey; Ayaaz Amirali; Cynthia C. Beaver; Melinda M. Boone; Samuel Comerford; Daniel Cooper; Elena M. Cortizas; Benjamin B. Currall; Jonathan Foox; George S. Grills; Erin Kobetz; Naresh Kumar; Jennifer Laine; Walter E. Lamar; Alejandro M.A. Ma...; Christopher E. Mason; Brian D. Reding; Maria Robertson; Matthew A. Roca; Krista Ryon; Stephan C. Schürer; Bhavarth S. Shukla; Natasha Schaefer ...; Mario Stevenson; John J. Tallon Jr; Collette Thomas; Tori Thomas; Dušica Vidović; Sion L. Williams; Xue Yin; Helena M. Solo-Ga...
• Keywords: Normalization

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater has been used to track community infections of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), providing critical information for public health interventions. Since levels are dependent upon human inputs, we hypothesize that tracking can be improved by normalizing concentrations against indicators waste [Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV), β-2 Microglobulin (B2M), and fecal coliform]. In this study, analyzed SARS-CoV-2 from two sewersheds different scales: a University campus treatment plant. Wastewater data were combined with complementary COVID-19 case evaluate the efficiency surveillance forecasting new cases and, larger scale, hospitalizations. Results show normalization PMMoV B2M resulted correlations using volcano second generation (V2G)-qPCR chemistry (rs = 0.69 without normalization, rs 0.73 normalization). Mixed results obtained samples collected at scale. Overall benefits measures depend qPCR improves smaller sewershed We recommend further studies efficacy additional targets.