COVID-19 containment on a college campus via wastewater-based epidemiology, targeted clinical testing and an intervention.

ABSTRACT: Wastewater-based epidemiology has potential as an early-warning tool for determining the presence of COVID-19 in a community. The University of Arizona (UArizona) utilized WBE paired with clinical testing as a surveillance tool to monitor the UArizona community for SARS-CoV-2 in near real-time, as students re-entered campus in the fall. Positive detection of virus RNA in wastewater lead to selected clinical testing, identification, and isolation of three infected individuals (one symptomatic and two asymptomatic) that averted potential disease transmission. This case study demonstrated the value of WBE as a tool to efficiently utilize resources for COVID-19 prevention and response. Thus, WBE coupled with targeted clinical testing was further conducted on 13 dorms during the course of the F

SUBMITTER: Betancourt WQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7954642 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature