March 11, 2021
GENERAL INFORMATION
The City of Cedar Key and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District are 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.
THE LAEST
The virus has been detected the city’s wastewater for the last three weeks straight (2/15 to 2/28). 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.
Joseph H. Bisesi Jr, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Department of Environmental and Global Health
Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology