COVID-19 monitoring with sparse sampling of sewered and non-sewered wastewater in urban and rural communities
Dhammika Leshan Wannigama, Mohan Amarasiri, Parichart Hongsing, Cameron Hurst, Charin Modchang, Sudarat Chadsuthi, Suparinthon Anupong, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Ali Hosseini Rad S.M., Stefan Fernandez, Angkana T. Huang, Porames Vatanaprasan, Dylan John Jay, Thammakorn Saethang, Sirirat Luk-in, Robin James Storer, Puey Ounjai, Naveen Kumar Devanga Ragupathi, Phitsanuruk Kanthawee, Daisuke Sano, Takashi Furukawa, Kazunari Sei, Asada Leelahavanichkul, Talerngsak Kanjanabuch, Nattiya Hirankarn, Paul G. Higgins, Anthony Kicic, Andrew C. Singer, Tanittha Chatsuwan, Sam Trowsdale, Shuichi Abe, Alexander D. McLellan, Hitoshi Ishikawa
Abstract
). Results showed an increase in SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from urban and rural areas 14-20 days earlier than infected individuals were officially reported. It also showed that community/food markets were "hot spots" for infected people. This approach offers an opportunity for early detection of transmission surges, allowing preparedness and potentially mitigating significant outbreaks at both spatial and temporal scales.