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Volume 27, Number 12—December 2021
Dispatch

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater at Residential College, Maine, USA, August–November 2020

Yolanda M. BrooksComments to Author , Bailey Gryskwicz, Shawn Sheehan, Sheri Piers, Parag Mahale, Susan McNeil, Jenna Chase, Doreen Webber, David Borys, Michael Hilton, Dion Robinson, Stephen Sears, Emer Smith, Emily K. Lesher, Robert Wilson, Matthew Goodwin1, and Michael Pardales
Author affiliations: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, Maine, USA (Y.M. Brooks, B. Gryskwicz, S. Sheehan, S. Piers, S. McNeil, J. Chase, D. Webber, D. Borys, M. Hilton, D. Robinson, E.K. Lesher, R. Wilson, M. Goodwin, M. Pardales); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (P. Mahale); Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, USA (P. Mahale, S. Sears, E. Smith); University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, USA (E. Smith)

Main Article

Figure

Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater samples at a residential college, Maine, USA, August–November 2020. A) Grab samples from 6 residence halls (i.e., A–F). B) 24-hour composite samples from 2 lift stations: L1 for halls E–F and L3 for halls A–D. Dashed lines indicate theoretical limit of detection; dotted lines indicate limit of quantification. These limits were dependent on flow rate (B only) and population served for each sample. Data points below dashed lines indicate undetected concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and are recorded at one-half the limit of quantification (5). Data points between dashed and dotted lines indicates detectable but nonquantifiable concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and are recorded at one half the limit of quantification. C) Daily positivity rate of COVID-19 tests. The number above the bar indicates the number of positive cases. Positive results were typically received within 24 hours after administration of the diagnostic test. D) Total COVID-19 diagnostic tests, including surveillance and nonsurveillance tests. Letter and symbol indicate resident hall of affected student. Shaded areas indicate the days during which the college declared an active outbreak. COVID-19, coronavirus disease.

Figure. Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater samples at a residential college, Maine, USA, August–November 2020. A) Grab samples from 6 residence halls (i.e., A–F). B) 24-hour composite samples from 2 lift stations: L1 for halls E–F and L3 for halls A–D. Dashed lines indicate theoretical limit of detection; dotted lines indicate limit of quantification. These limits were dependent on flow rate (B only) and population served for each sample. Data points below dashed lines indicate undetected concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and are recorded at one-half the limit of quantification (5). Data points between dashed and dotted lines indicates detectable but nonquantifiable concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and are recorded at one half the limit of quantification. C) Daily positivity rate of COVID-19 tests. The number above the bar indicates the number of positive cases. Positive results were typically received within 24 hours after administration of the diagnostic test. D) Total COVID-19 diagnostic tests, including surveillance and nonsurveillance tests. Letter and symbol indicate resident hall of affected student. Shaded areas indicate the days during which the college declared an active outbreak. COVID-19, coronavirus disease.

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References
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1Current affiliation: St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Page created: August 30, 2021
Page updated: November 19, 2021
Page reviewed: November 19, 2021
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