WASTEWATER IN CEDAR KEY
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
Editor’s Note: Wastewater testing has been operative in Cedar Key since April 26, 2020. Reports are generated weekly by University of Florida by Joseph H. Bisesi Jr, Ph.D. His latest report follows. Understand his intended audience is city and water officials. Cedar Key Mayor Heath Davis has made this information available to you, the reader.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The City of Cedar Key and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District is partnering with faculty from the University of Florida Department of Environmental and Global Health and the Nature Coast Biological Station to conduct weekly monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 in the city’s wastewater. Studies indicate that measurements of the virus in the wastewater can be useful for predicting trends in virus transmission with a given sewage catchment area. This week SARS-Cov-2 was detected in the city’s wastewater on 2/15/2021. While we cannot be sure whether this measurement came from a resident or a visitor, it highlights the need to remain vigilant in our use of CDC recommended precautions including wearing masks indoors and physically distancing when possible. We will continue to monitor the wastewater in the coming weeks for any indication of potential for increased case numbers.
The City of Cedar Key and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District is partnering with faculty from the University of Florida Department of Environmental and Global Health and the Nature Coast Biological Station to conduct weekly monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 in the city’s wastewater. Studies indicate that measurements of the virus in the wastewater can be useful for predicting trends in virus transmission with a given sewage catchment area. This week SARS-Cov-2 was detected in the city’s wastewater on 2/15/2021. While we cannot be sure whether this measurement came from a resident or a visitor, it highlights the need to remain vigilant in our use of CDC recommended precautions including wearing masks indoors and physically distancing when possible. We will continue to monitor the wastewater in the coming weeks for any indication of potential for increased case numbers.
THE LATEST
Here is the latest information we have from the Cedar Key Wastewater. This week we received two samples, one from 2/7/2021 and one from 2/15/2021. The first was negative, and the second was positive. We collect DOH data every Sunday so we won’t know whether cases have gone up in Cedar Key until then, but based on this measurement, we might expect to see an uptick in cases through this week or next.
On another note, I wanted to let everyone know that we sent all the samples that have been positive out for sequencing last week (this doesn’t include the most recent positive sample). So far we have received two of the sequences back from 8/12/2020 and 1/12/2021. Interestingly, the sequence from the 1/12/2021 sample indicates the presence of a strain that is related to one of the newer more highly transmissible strains in the Cedar Key Wastewater (sequence if very close to the UK strain). This is not surprising as these strains are becoming more prevalent throughout Florida and the US, but still interesting that more rural areas are seeing introduction of these new strains. We are planning on putting together a publication that will highlight this in the near future.
Here is the latest information we have from the Cedar Key Wastewater. This week we received two samples, one from 2/7/2021 and one from 2/15/2021. The first was negative, and the second was positive. We collect DOH data every Sunday so we won’t know whether cases have gone up in Cedar Key until then, but based on this measurement, we might expect to see an uptick in cases through this week or next.
On another note, I wanted to let everyone know that we sent all the samples that have been positive out for sequencing last week (this doesn’t include the most recent positive sample). So far we have received two of the sequences back from 8/12/2020 and 1/12/2021. Interestingly, the sequence from the 1/12/2021 sample indicates the presence of a strain that is related to one of the newer more highly transmissible strains in the Cedar Key Wastewater (sequence if very close to the UK strain). This is not surprising as these strains are becoming more prevalent throughout Florida and the US, but still interesting that more rural areas are seeing introduction of these new strains. We are planning on putting together a publication that will highlight this in the near future.
Joseph H. Bisesi Jr, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Department of Environmental and Global Health
Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology
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