Weekly wastewater results suggest COVID increases in Saskatoon, Regina

While wastewater results in Prince Albert and North Battleford showed declines in their viral loads, Saskatoon is on its way up.

An increase of 25.5 per cent in the viral RNA load in Saskatoon’s wastewater was noted this week by the University of Saskatchewan and water researchers.

The dominant strain seen in wastewater in all three cities is Omicron BA.2, comprising 99.3 per cent of Saskatoon’s viral load. The remaining 0.7 per cent is Omicron BA.1.

The results suggest the increase in viral RNA load indicates an increase in COVID infections in Saskatoon.

The report said that increase “may or may not be reflected by new case numbers in upcoming weeks.”

Prince Albert saw a decrease of 16.5 per cent in its viral load, while North Battleford decreased more than 20 per cent during this reporting period.

Researchers at the University of Regina reported that viral loads have increased “significantly” over the previous week’s level. The numbers from the past few months are up from levels in April in 2021 as well.

“In the most recent wastewater analysis, viral levels have increased and are over 250 per cent compared to the peak levels during the Alpha wave,” a post by the U of R said.

“Initial analyses indicate that the levels will not decrease within the next reporting period.”

The U of R reported the highest observed levels in viral loads were found in mid-December 2020 and April 2021, which coincided with high infection rates in the Regina area.