Wastewater monitoring

Back Wastewater monitoring for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Slovak Republic – progress on 21st calendar week 2024 - RT-PCR and ddPCR analysis

Published 6/19/24

Monitoring of wastewater in the Slovak Republic for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus was launched on 02.05. 2021. Since then, samples of waste water from evenly distributed waste water treatment plants (WTP) have been continuously examined. During the year, the monitoring intensity is optimalized according to the epidemiological situation.

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 21st calendar week 2024, a total of 4922 samples were examined by a qualitative and quantitative method, of which 4744 (96,38 %) samples were positive or with limit values.

On 21st calendar week 2024, 24 samples were examined, 12 samples were negative, 8 samples had borderline values, in 4 samples the number of copies increased.

Development of WW sample positivity. rate in time

On the 21st calendar week, the number of RNA copies of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remained unchanged in quantitative examinations.

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

The viral load in wastewater is at very low levels, the national average is 0.05 microliters. This value is the same as in the analyzes from the 19th calendar week., where the value of the number of RNA copies of 0.05 microliters was recorded in the Slovak average.

Development of the incidence of COVID-19 disease and company number of SARS-CoV-2-RNA in wastewater in the SR