Two of the three Saskatchewan cities which have their wastewater tested for COVID-19 have seen large increases in the last testing period. USask toxicologist and researcher Dr. Markus Brinkmann says Saskatoon’s wastewater virus local has increased 127 per cent in the last testing period which was September 3rd to the 8th. The only variant of concern present is the Delta variant.

The results from North Battleford’s most recent testing period include a 560 per cent increase in the viral load, while Prince Albert is seeing a 50 per cent decrease. Dr. Brinkmann says the two smaller centres have had more ups and downs in their testing numbers, which he believes may be because of visitors to the communities having more of an impact because they have smaller populations. He adds that although North Battleford had an almost six-fold increase, there was a significant decrease the week prior.

Overall, Dr. Brinkmann says the wastewater test which has been happening in Saskatoon for over a year now, has been indicative of what is to come in about a week, and results from the two smaller communities have also been good predictors.

Brinkmann says recently the Public Health Agency of Canada supplied more additional funding so more testing could be done, and that’s why North Battleford and Prince Albert are now also getting their wastewater testing. The USask researcher says other communities have been approached as well.