Wastewater monitoring

Back Wastewater monitoring for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Slovak Republic – progress on 41st calendar week 2024 - RT-PCR and ddPCR analysis

Published 11/12/24

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 41st calendar week 2024, a total of 5152 samples were examined by a qualitative and quantitative method, of which 4962 (96,31 %) samples were positive or with limit values.

On 41st calendar week 2024, 24 samples were examined, 24 samples were positive.

Development of WW sample positivity rate in time

On the 41st calendar week, we noticed a small increase in quantitative tests, which express the copy number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

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

Monitoring of the viral load in wastewater in individual regions points to a increase in Bratislava, Trnava, Trenčín, Nitra, Žilina, Banská Bystrica and Prešov region.

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