Wastewater testing effective for COVID-19 detection in nursing homes, dorms

Editor's Note

This study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and School of Engineering, Charlottesville, finds that wastewater-based monitoring for COVID-19 is an effective means for detecting and controlling the virus in congregate living settings.

The researchers monitored wastewater from two student dormitory complexes for 8 weeks and compared their findings to student testing for COVID-19. They found that the wastewater testing caught more than 96% of cases.

One limitation, however, was that the wastewater testing could not distinguish between new infections and virus found in stool from those who had recovered and were no longer contagious.

The researchers conclude that wastewater testing holds great promise for detecting and controlling COVID-19 in places where people live in close quarters.