5/20/23

 

When it comes to tracking COVID in the commonwealth, there must be something in the water.

On Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health announced the launch of a wastewater surveillance tool as part of its COVID-19 dashboard.

The tracker will publish weekly reports of viral loads found in 36 sewer systems, which could be useful in identifying potential future outbreaks.

In a release, Virginia health commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton said the virus that causes COVID can be detected in sewage days before a person begins feeling sick.

Augusta County’s North River sewershed is one system that will be monitored.