Whangarei is one of 15 centres where wastewater will be sampled in a new ESR-led Covid-19 surveillance pilot study. Photo / Michael CunninghamMore New Zealand wastewater plants will be screened for traces of coronavirus, in an expanded trial that could ultimately offer the country a new way to pick up early outbreaks. Science agency ESR has already developed a methodology for detecting viral fragments of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, from initial sampling at Auckland's Jet Park Hotel quarantine facility. "Not everyone with Covid-19 will excrete the virus in their stools, and the detection methods have limited sensitivity - we are still understanding these factors." Once the eight-week period was over, ESR would review the data and make recommendations to the Government on any further wastewater sampling.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 05, 2020 00:11 UTC