COVID 19/WARN Informational Webinar COVID 19...Mar 20, 2006  · 12 Sampling COVID-19 o COVID-19 is...

COVID 19/WARNInformational Webinar

June 3, 2020Presented by: VA WARN Program

Welcome• State Agency Partners• VA WARN Members• VA Utilities• Additional VA Partners

Special Guests

• Dr. Marcia Degen, Ph.D, PEEnvironmental Technical Services ManagerVirginia Department of HealthDivision of Water and Wastewater Servicesmarcia.degen@vdh.virginia.gov

• Dr. Raul Gonzalez, Ph.DEnvironmental ScientistHampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)RGonzalez@hrsd.com

10

Wastewater Epidemiology

Wastewater epidemiology uses markers in raw wastewater to gather data on the population within a wastewater catchment.

Molecular Source Tracking

Wastewater Surveillance

11

Sewersheds – Similar to Watersheds

• Similar to watersheds• Sample further

‘downstream’ to get big picture

• Can isolate ‘branches’ to locate hot spots

12

Sampling COVID-19

o COVID-19 is shed in feceso Most studies suggest the shed virus is not viableo (the virus is highly susceptible to standard disinfection methods)o Data on rate of shedding over course of disease limited

oKey parameter used to convert viral concentration in sewage to approximate number of infections in area (population projection)

oProjections are being refined as new data become availableo Sampling viral RNA using a PCR method

o No ‘standard’ method, but working toward best practiceso Data on the effect of the wastewater matrix on the virus is limited.o Data on any transformations of the virus in-sewer transport limited.

13

Gertjan Medema, KWRWater Research Institute, 2020, Virtual International Research Summit

14

Data in grey incomplete

Why Conduct WW Surveillance?Human Testing WW Testing

Individual testing is limited Testing at WWTP captures a large population

It takes 2-14 days for a person to become symptomatic Infected persons begin shedding virus in feces within 2-3 days

15

Knowledge Gaps

• Rate of fecal shedding – being refined• Consistent methods for sample collection, storage and analysis• Unique challenges working in wastewater – low recovery rates,

interferences• Consistent method to translate viral load to infected population counts

CDC is conducting a Phase One project to answer most of these questions. Water Research Foundation & EPA – seeking labs to participate in study of methods assessment.

16

Summary

Tracking disease prevalence through wastewater surveillance is a relatively new science and COVID-19 is a new virus.

Surveilling wastewater for COVID 19 may provide some additional information to inform re-opening decisions or signal a resurgence of the disease.

In order for the wastewater surveillance to be useful, it has to be widespread, frequent and long term.

VDH is monitoring the CDC progress in developing consistent guidelines.

COVID‐19 Surveillance using Wastewater‐Based Epidemiology

18

HRSD’s Molecular Pathogen Program

• Core Focus Area– Microbial Source Tracking– Quantitative Microbial Risk

Assessment– Pathogen Quantification

• Matrices– Stormwater, Biosolids, Wastewater,

Water Reuse, Shellfish, Sediment

• Capabilities– Digital PCR– Quantitative PCR– Next generation sequencing

Illumina iSeq 100 Nanopore MinION

– Culture: Traditional FIB Coliphage GB-124

Dec 8 First patient

develops symptoms

Jan 11 1st known

death due to new

coronavirus

Jan 30Public Health Emergency of International

Concern

Feb 29 US reports

first COVID-19 death

March 91st HRSD sample

March 11COVID-19 declared pandemic

COVID‐19 Timeline

19

Goal: Regional study that fully captures the rise and fall of COVID‐19 cases

Objectives:1. describe the trends in SARS‐CoV‐2 occurrence 2. assess the ‘true’ prevalence of COVID‐19

HRSD COVID‐19 Surveillance

20

21

HRSD Monitoring

21

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3D_medical_animation_corona_virus.jpg

• Weekly monitoring of 9 major facilities– Final effluent samples– SWIFT Final samples

• Quantification of CDC’s molecular assays

• VDH engagement from the beginning

SARS‐CoV‐2 Detection

22

Population Normalized Load 

23

Ability to Observe Differing Trends

24

A Spatial Look at SARS‐CoV‐2

25

A Closer Look

Regional Loads

27

Regional Percent Carriers

28

29

Questions

Would you be interested in a broader discussion of wastewater surveillance with VDH?

If CDC completes guidance on sample collection and analysis, would you consider following that guidance and sharing your sample results with VDH?

Questions?

30

Dr. Marcia Degen, Ph.D, PEEnvironmental Technical Services ManagerVirginia Department of HealthDivision of Water and Wastewater Servicesmarcia.degen@vdh.virginia.gov

Dr. Raul Gonzalez, Ph.DEnvironmental ScientistHampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)RGonzalez@hrsd.com

Situation Report/Updates• Current status of pandemic

VDH COVID‐19 Map (as of June 3rd)

VDH COVID‐19 Map (as of June 3rd)

COVID‐19 Surveillance Dashboard ‐ UVA Model

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)

COVIDActNow.org

WARN Updates• Still no Emergency requests to date• New WARN Members

– New River Regional Water Authority– Urbanna Waterworks

• Supply list information– Personal/Household items– Meat/Food shortages

Phase 1 Updates• Face coverings mandated in inside public buildings

• How are Utilities approaching this new mandate?– Will you provide masks for visitors? – How are you informing/enforcing your policies?

Phase 1 Updates• Specific Guidance for Phase 1 for various 

industries can be found here:  virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia.

• Preparation for Phase 2– Surveillance of other industries is helpful for advanced planning

– https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor‐of‐virginia/pdf/Virginia‐Forward‐Phase‐Two‐Guidelines.pdf

Best Practices• Use of technology to ease employer burden

• Determine when contractors/visitors should be allowed back in your facilities– Use of billing system to track who might have been in the facility

– Use of computer surveillance to monitor visitors in and around the building

Continuing Education Credit• Water and Wastewater Operator CPE, along 

with Engineering CE credits will be provided for today’s webinar. 

• To receive a transcript for today’s webinar, please answer the final poll question. 

• Transcripts certificates were emailed for all past webinars.  The email would have come from admin@mail.eventfull‐us.com

• If you didn’t receive your transcripts, please email scott.smith@vaawwa.org

Questions?• Contact one of the following WARN leaders

– Ike Eisenhart, Iron Hart Consultingike.Eisenhart@ironhart‐consulting.com

– Mike Lynn, Albemarle County Service Authoritymlynn@serviceauthority.org

– Scott Shirley, Western VA Water AuthorityStephen.Shirley@westernvawater.org

Thank you for attending and keep the waters flowing!

• Please check the VA WARN website – For a link to today’s presentation– For updated resources and information – To learn how to join VA WARN