Averting an Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a University Residence Hall through Wastewater Surveillance

Abstract

Among early adopters of wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 have been colleges and universities throughout North America, many of whom are using this approach to monitor congregate living facilities for early evidence of COVID-19 infection as an integral component of campus screening programs. Yet, while there have been numerous examples where wastewater monitoring on a university campus has detected evidence for infection among community members, there are few examples where this monitoring triggered a public health response that may have averted an actual outbreak.

Establishment of local wastewater-based surveillance programmes in response to the spread and infection of COVID-19 – case studies from South Africa, the Netherlands, Turkey and England

“…Studies have shown the value of WBE surveillance programmes in tracing and monitoring changes in the prevalence of infections in urban populations. This includes, for example, COVID-19 containment on a college campus via wastewaterbased epidemiology, targeted clinical testing and an intervention (Corchis-Scott et al 2021). In the Netherlands, test buses were deployed to an area of undertesting (Anon 2022) while in February 2021 in New Zealand, case data was coupled with wastewater data to decide whether to extend a lockdown after three positive cases were detected (Sharara et al 2021).…”

Comparison of Auto Sampling and Passive Sampling Methods for SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Wastewater

“…Passive samplers have been used to monitor wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 at an institutional level. Corchis-Schott et al used a tampon as a Moore-swab to monitor for COVID-19 cases at a university residence hall [12]. Upon receiving a positive sample, resident COVID-19 testing was initiated and contact tracing was used to prevent spread of disease in the residence.…”

“…Several materials have been studied for SARS-CoV-2 detection using passive samplers. Modified Moore swabs constructed from cotton gauze or feminine hygiene products have been shown effective for viral detection [12,13]. Materials used in 3D-printed passive sampling devices include cotton swabs, medical gauze, cheesecloth, cellulose sponges, and electronegative membranes, with cheesecloth and electronegative membranes showing the best results in the COSCa devices [15,16].…”

“…However, Hayes et al experimented with different elution mixtures and concluded that a Tween®20-based buffer had the best performance [16]. For their tampon-style passive sampler, Corchis-Schott et al did not use an elution buffer to extract viral particles and RNA from the absorbent material, rather, they used manual pressure with a 50 mL syringe to squeeze the existing liquid from the material [12]. Likewise, Liu et passive samples, along with estimates of flow rate, wet fecal mass, and number of infected people contributing to the outflow [12].…”

“…For their tampon-style passive sampler, Corchis-Schott et al did not use an elution buffer to extract viral particles and RNA from the absorbent material, rather, they used manual pressure with a 50 mL syringe to squeeze the existing liquid from the material [12]. Likewise, Liu et passive samples, along with estimates of flow rate, wet fecal mass, and number of infected people contributing to the outflow [12]. However, these metrics are difficult to estimate accurately, as flow rates vary with levels of activity throughout the day, especially in the drainage systems from smaller facilities [12].…”