Temporal Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Wastewater and its Epidemiological Implications in COVID-19 Case Dynamics

• DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4604353
• Publication Date: 2023-10-21T03:30:22Z
• Authors: Lin Li; Laura Haak; Madeline Carine; Krishna Pagilla
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Sars virus; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus

This research evaluated the relationship between daily new COVID-19 cases and SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater, followed by effects of differential shedding loads across various outbreaks. Linear regression analyses were utilized to examine lead time signal wastewater relative clinical cases. During Delta wave, no was evident, highlighting limited predictive capability monitoring during this phase. However, Omicron wave demonstrated significant times, potentially attributed testing capacity overload subsequent case reporting delays or changes patterns. Stealth discernible,. Whereas following lifting state emergency, an increase correlation coefficient showed potential surveillance as early warning system. Subsequently, we explored virus through feces, operationalized ratio varied significantly Delta, Omicron, post-state-emergency phases, with Kruskal-Wallis H test confirming a difference medians these stages (P < 0.0001). Despite its promise, disease prevalence presents several challenges, including variability, data interpretation complexity, impact environmental factors on viral degradation, lack standardized procedures. Overall, our findings offer insights into concentrations, variation different pandemic underscore promise limitations system for trends.