Increase in Covid-19 in wastewater does mean new wave, says expert
Private practitioner Dr Angelique Coetzee says the increase in Covid-19 virus fragments found in wastewater samples at treatment plants is no guarantee of a sixth wave of infections.
But Coetzee believes it is important to take notice of the increase for possible impending waves.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases data revealed an increase of Covid omicron B4 and B5 in wastewater samples circulating around Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni
Coetzee says the wastewater surveillance test can determine a community’s well-being.
“The wastewater surveillance is an early indicator of whether the number of people with Covid-19 increases or decreases in a community.
“NICD are looking very closely at the numbers in the samples across South Africa. With evidence of omicron predominantly circulating Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni we should take notice of this. However it does not mean we are going to the next wave.
“It’s will depend on the numbers whether we should expect a new wave in the next month or two.”
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