Levels of COVID-19 in Utah wastewater are currently higher than they have been in the last two months, according to state data.
Wastewater analysis is an early indicator of COVID-19 spread, and the uptick signals the need for increased awareness, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
Josh Benton, an epidemiologist with the state, explained that COVID-19 can present in the body for a week and a half or more before someone develops symptoms, “but the virus can be detected in wastewater levels earlier.”
Because of that, hospitalization rates and emergency visits trail wastewater trends. But the state also is seeing an uptick in the seven-day average for COVID-19 emergency visits, which had dipped in May but has risen recently.
(Utah Department of Health and Human Services) The seven-day average of emergency department visits in Utah, with the darkest color showing visits involving COVID-19 cases, teal showing influenza and yellow showing RSV.
Utah isn’t alone. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that the country’s current COVID-19 wastewater levels are high. And the West is showing the highest levels, as compared to the Northeast, South and Midwest, plus national trends.
A total of 35 wastewater sampling sites exist throughout Utah. Of those, 27 are reporting elevated concentrations of COVID-19 in wastewater. Nine are reporting a rising trend.
Notably, Hyrum City and Ogden are currently among the highest reported increases.
“I would certainly advocate for people taking the appropriately cautious steps in their own situation,” said Nathan LaCross, another epidemiologist with Utah DHHS.
Given the available data, there is no way to know what may have spurred the current increase. But LaCross surmised recreational summer travel and tourism likely have played a part.
He recommended washing hands and wearing masks, and taking extra caution around and for high-risk groups.