Wastewater-based Surveillance on SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 viral load in wastewater is being tested at selected wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Germany as part of AMELAG (“Abwassermonitoring für die epidemiologische Lagebewertung”, German for wastewater monitoring for epidemiological situation assessment). Data from 169 WWTPs are currently included in the analyses for SARS-CoV-2 and 99 for Influenza A Virus and Influenza B Virus. For the calendar week 46 data from 104 WWTP were available for SARS-CoV-2 and from 72 WWTPs for Influenza A Virus and Influenza B Virus. Data from other WWTP are provided continuously. A slight decrease in the aggregated viral load can be observed since calendar week 42. The viral loads of both the influenza A and B virus are currently at low levels. The development observed over the last few weeks may still change due to late notifications, especially from WWTP with large population coverage.