Increased Presence Of COVID-19 Found In Boston-Area Wastewater

BOSTON, MA — Data from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority shows there is again an increased presence of COVID-19 in wastewater at the Deer Island Treatment Plant.

The amount of viral RNA found in the wastewater in both the North and South water systems is close to levels from late 2020 into early 2021. The Deer Island Treatment Plant serves 43 communities in greater Boston.

Samples of wastewater are taken three to seven times a week and analyzed by Cambridge-based Biobot Analytics, according to the MWRA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this metric " can provide information on changes in total SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection in the community contributing to that wastewater treatment plant." In other words, an increased presence of COVID-19 in wastewater from showers, sinks, and toilets can indicate an increased infection rate in the communities where the wastewater comes from.

Statewide, the number of new COVID-19 cases is higher than it has been since around this time last year.