Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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 [email protected]
• Dr. Raul Gonzalez, Ph.DEnvironmental ScientistHampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)[email protected]
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 [email protected]
Dr. Raul Gonzalez, Ph.DEnvironmental ScientistHampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)[email protected]
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 [email protected]‐us.com
• If you didn’t receive your transcripts, please email [email protected]
Questions?• Contact one of the following WARN leaders
– Ike Eisenhart, Iron Hart Consultingike.Eisenhart@ironhart‐consulting.com
– Mike Lynn, Albemarle County Service [email protected]
– Scott Shirley, Western VA Water [email protected]
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
