Wastewater monitoring for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Slovak Republic – progress on 29th calendar week 2023 - RT-PCR and ddPCR analysis - UVZEN
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Wastewater monitoring for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Slovak Republic – progress on 29th calendar week 2023 - RT-PCR and ddPCR analysis
Monitoring of wastewater in the Slovak Republic for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus was launched on 02.05. 2021 (i.e. 18th calendar week) and it is performed regularly on a weekly basis in each region of the Slovak Republic. From January 2022, we gradually started the second phase of the wastewater monitoring project, where monitoring is being expanded in several districts. So far, 62 WWTPs have participated in the Slovak Republic.
Due to the improved epidemiological situation, starting from 19.6.2023, the collection and investigation of waste water samples was reduced.
The presence of virus in wastewater samples is determined by RT-PCR and digital dd-PCR. Samples are taken in cooperation with individual operators of wastewater treatment plants, regional public health authorities and investigated in the NRC at the Public Health Authority of Slovak Republic.
By the 29th calendar week 2023, a total of 4467 samples were examined by a qualitative and quantitative method, of which 4357 (97,54 %) samples were positive or with limit values.
On 29th calendar week 2023, 17 samples were examined. The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in 12 samples, 5 samples were negative. In 5 samples (29,41 %) showed an increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies, in the other 12 samples the number of copies remained unchanged or decreased.
On the 29th calendar week, the number of RNA copies of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remained unchanged in quantitative examinations.
Monitoring of the viral load in wastewater in individual regions points to a slight increase in Trnava, Nitra, Bratislava and Košice region.
* Source: Operačné stredisko ZZS, ÚVZ SR