COVID-19 wastewater surveillance in the U.S.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, GT Molecular has used powerful digital PCR technology to test thousands of samples across the United States.  This graph represents the SARS-CoV-2 virus concentration in U.S. wastewater samples, providing a unique, real-time insight into COVID-19 trends, showing early signs of COVID-19 spread, often before changes in clinical case counts or hospitalizations become apparent. This data serves as a leading indicator in the United States for pandemic monitoring and response.

Wastewater:
SARS-CoV-2 virus
concentration
(copies/L of sewage)

Clinical:
Daily new cases

COVID-19 analysis methodology

Lab protocol:

Our methodologies for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater have been refined based on the established protocols by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our strategy is predicated on the identification of viral genetic sequences excreted in fecal matter, utilizing digital PCR analysis. In this study, we delineate the effective concentrations of SARS-CoV-2, ascertained by adjusting viral concentrations to account for factors such as dilution and other potential confounders.

Wastewater Data:

In our analysis of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater, we applied a robust statistical approach to extract meaningful insights. Our approach involves two key steps. First, we average daily samples within each county, applying a 21-day rolling average using a Gaussian-centered window. Next, we calculate national values by taking a weighted average based on county populations. This methodology offers a nuanced understanding of the virus's spread, providing valuable data that aligns with clinical observations and serves as a powerful tool for both monitoring and predictive purposes.

Clinical Data:

Clinical cases in the United States depict daily new COVID-19 cases, with data obtained from USA Facts. Bars represent each day's new infections, while a line shows a centered 7-day rolling average to smooth out inconsistencies, such as no reported cases on weekends.

Graph update frequency:

Once per week on Wednesday