Another increase in COVID infections could be on the horizon for Louisiana, according to a new report from LSU Health.
The Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats (CEEVT) at LSU Health Shreveport discovered an increase in the amount of the SARS-CoV-2 virus found in samples collected from wastewater in northwest Louisiana.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have seen increases in SARS-CoV-2 levels ahead of rises in cases. Labs that perform wastewater monitoring see this as well, and it can provide an early warning system that cases are about to increase in an area,” the report said.
The virus’s wastewater footprint had been much smaller in recent months, since the Omicron surge in the beginning of the year.
LSU Health said they are releasing the data to prepare people ahead of holiday gatherings.
“Being up to date on your vaccinations and boosters, washing your hands frequently, wearing masks or avoiding crowded indoor activity, and staying home if you feel sick are effective ways to reduce your risk of spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating this winter,” read a statement from LSU Health.
Forecasting a fresh wave of the virus is just one bit of information that can be gleaned from testing wastewater.
“Sequencing from wastewater samples is a more complex process and analysis than sequencing a COVID-19 test sample, but it can provide insight to any new variants or subvariants that are circulating within the community,” Dr. Krista Queen, Director of Viral Genomics and Surveillance at LSU Health Shreveport told KTAL.
