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Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater treatment plants mirrors the pandemic trend in Hong Kong.
Zheng, Xiawan; Li, Shuxian; Deng, Yu; Xu, Xiaoqing; Ding, Jiahui; Lau, Frankie T K; In Yau, Chung; Poon, Leo L M; Tun, Hein M; Zhang, Tong.
  • Zheng X; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Lab, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Li S; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Lab, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Deng Y; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Lab, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Xu X; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Lab, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Ding J; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Lab, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Lau FTK; Drainage Services Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China.
  • In Yau C; School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Poon LLM; School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Tun HM; School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China.
  • Zhang T; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Lab, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: zhangt@hku.hk.
Sci Total Environ ; 844: 157121, 2022 Oct 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1914987
ABSTRACT
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has emerged as a cost-effective and unbiased tool for population-level testing in the community. In the present study, we conducted a 6-month wastewater monitoring campaign from three WWTPs of different flow rates and catchment area characteristics, which serve 28 % (2.1 million people) of Hong Kong residents in total. Wastewater samples collected daily or every other day were concentrated using ultracentrifugation and the SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA in the supernatant was detected using the N1 and E primer sets. The results showed significant correlations between the virus concentration and the number of daily new cases in corresponding catchment areas of the three WWTPs when using 7-day moving average values (Kendall's tau-b value 0.227-0.608, p < 0.001). SARS-CoV-2 virus concentration was normalized to a fecal indicator using PMMoV concentration and daily flow rates, but the normalization did not enhance the correlation. The key factors contributing to the correlation were also evaluated, including the sampling frequency, testing methods, and smoothing days. This study demonstrates the applicability of wastewater surveillance to monitor overall SARS-CoV-2 pandemic dynamics in a densely populated city like Hong Kong, and provides a large-scale longitudinal reference for the establishment of the long-term sentinel surveillance in WWTPs for WBE of pathogens which could be combined into a city-wide public health observatory.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Water Purification / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Sci Total Environ Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.scitotenv.2022.157121

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Water Purification / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Sci Total Environ Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.scitotenv.2022.157121