Yarmouth Covid Wastewater Testing Results - Mar 01, 2024
Mar 01, 2024
Due to sustained high levels of COVID virus in Yarmouth’s wastewater, we are keeping the COVID-O-Meter at HIGH.
Summary
Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 viral levels peaked in late December 2023 at 5,875 copies/mL, decreased in early January, and then plateaued in mid-January at an average level of about 1,500 copies/mL. The viral level averaged 1,524 copies/mL during February. The last time virus levels were this high in Yarmouth was in February 2023. Given these sustained levels from mid- January through February, we are keeping the COVID-O-Meter at the HIGH level.
Fortunately, the numbers of COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths in Maine during the current period of increased viral transmission (80–85 hospitalizations and 3–4 deaths each week) have been lower than fall 2022-winter 2023 (120–200 hospitalizations and 10–20 deaths each week), and much lower than during fall 2021-winter 2022 (300–400 hospitalizations and 50–80 deaths each week). Persons over the age of 70 years continue to have a much higher risk of both hospitalization and death.
With very limited reporting of COVID cases via official channels, we believe that the wastewater data gives us the most accurate representation of the state of infections within our community and that wastewater viral levels are the best measure of community virus transmission.
Wastewater is also being used to monitor for the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.
See the figure and table below for additional information. The following links provide information about Maine and national wastewater testing.
We recommend that the Yarmouth community increase efforts to reduce COVID transmission.
Get vaccinated and boosted. An updated monovalent booster based on the recently circulating variant (XBB.1.5) is now available in Maine. Appointments for vaccination with the updated booster are available at pharmacies in Yarmouth.
Any time you have symptoms, isolate yourself from people and use a rapid antigen test for 2 days in a row to determine if you have COVID.
If you test positive for COVID or believe you have a COVID infection, discuss the value of medications for COVID with your doctor. These medications can shorten the length and severity of the illness and likely reduce transmission to others. In addition, tell the people with whom you have been in contact during the 2 days prior to your positive test that they may have been exposed.
On February 29th the U.S. CDC updated its recommendations about isolation for those with COVID and other common respiratory viral illnesses, such as influenza and RSV. They recommend that persons suspected as having any of these respiratory diseases do the following:
When sick, stay home and away from others.
Return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, the fever has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication (such as aspirin, acetaminophen/Tylenol, and nonsteroidal medications, such as ibuprofen).
Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses.
In spite of these updated U.S. CDC recommendations, If you have COVID, our advice is to use the antigen (home) test to decide if you are still shedding virus and how long you need to be isolated: Stay home and isolate until your antigen test is negative.
The intensity of the line on the antigen test reflects the amount of virus that you are shedding, and the intensity will decrease as you recover from COVID. When the line disappears, you are no longer transmitting the virus.
The average time for antigen tests to become negative and viral shedding to end is around 7-10 days. But the time can be shorter and, regrettably, longer (up to 21 days).
Persons who are immune compromised due to medical conditions or medical treatments should take particular care, as should those around them.
If you have a positive antigen test, don't go around people that are immune compromised or over 70 years of age. (Safest)
To be cautious, when gathering with people at higher risk, test with a rapid antigen test and wear a mask.
With the public health emergency lifted, it is left to individuals to decide what exposures and risks are acceptable. In some situations, individuals may want the lowest risk, while others may feel socialization, employment, or other practical considerations are their highest priority.
If you must go out and your test is still positive, you may leave isolation after five days if your symptoms are improved and you don’t have a fever. But, wear a mask until your antigen test is negative.
If you want the lowest risk of transmission,
Avoid crowded indoor spaces;
Wear a mask in indoor public places, particularly if you are unvaccinated, 60 years of age or older, or immunocompromised. When you wear your mask, you show that mask-wearing is still an option and encourage others to do so when they are worried or possibly infectious.
When indoors, ensure that there is good ventilation (air exchange).
Notes & Acknowledgement
Yarmouth's wastewater testing program for SARS-CoV-2 is currently collecting and testing two 24-hour composite wastewater samples each week. Samples are collected from 7 am Tuesday to 7 am Wednesday and 7 am Wednesday to 7 am Thursday. Samples are sent twice a week to the Verily lab in South San Francisco and once a week to Biobot Analytics in Cambridge, Massachusetts for testing.
We would like to thank Chris Cline and Yarmouth Wastewater Treatment Facility staff for collecting the wastewater samples twice a week and Steve Johnson, Yarmouth's Town Engineer, for overseeing the wastewater testing program.