Indications of stabilization of the concentration of the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in the municipal waste of Thessaloniki are observed in the last daily measurements for the research conducted by the Sewage Epidemiology Team of AUTh with EYATH, in collaboration with the Region of Central Macedonia and within the National EODY Network.
As shown in the RES-EIA diagrams (attached), on November 9 the highest concentration of viral load of the current pandemic wave was measured and the next seven measurements – until November 16 – fluctuated around this level, without exceed.
Specifically, in the samples taken daily at the entrance of the Thessaloniki Wastewater Treatment Plant, regarding the rationalized values ​​of relative viral load secretion, the average value of the two most recent measurements, ie Monday 15/11 and Tuesday 16/11, are:
-Fixed (-8%) in relation to the average value of the two immediately preceding measurements of Saturday 13/11 and Sunday 14/11.
-Fixed (-6%) in relation to the average price of the previous Monday 08/11 and Tuesday 09/11.
“The viral load is at a very high level, however after weeks we observe an increase in the upward trend, which is in line with the picture of clinical surveillance,” said the rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and scientific director of research, Professor Nikos Papaioannou.
“It is a positive element, a positive sign, but it is still too early to be perceived as de-escalation. It is also very important that there is an increase in vaccination scheduling for the first but also for the booster dose. However, as long as the cases remain around a four-digit number in Thessaloniki and when the vast majority of those taken to hospitals are unvaccinated, the pressure on the health system will continue, both at the level of single beds and ICU “, explained the rector of AUTh.
The coronavirus assessment methodology in municipal waste, developed by the AUTh team, streamlines the measurements of the virus genome concentration based on 24 environmental factors, which may alter the results of the measurements.
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