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Back Wastewater monitoring for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Slovak Republic – progress on 23rd calendar week 2023 - RT-PCR and ddPCR analysis

Published 7/6/23

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.

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 23rd calendar week 2023, a total of 4347 samples were examined by a qualitative and quantitative method, of which 4280 (98,00 %) samples were positive or with limit values.

On 23rd calendar week 2023, 58 samples were examined. The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in 51 samples, 7 samples were negative. In 28 samples (48,28 %) showed an increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies, in the other 30 samples the number of copies remained unchanged or decreased.

Development of WW sample positivity. rate in time

On the 23rd calendar week, we noticed a slight increase in quantitative tests, which express the copy number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Average RNA coyp number of SASR-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples

Monitoring of the viral load in wastewater in individual regions points to a slight increase in Trenčín, Bratislava, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Košice region.

Number of RNA copyin wastewater