Browsing by Author "Wolfaardt, G."

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    Qualitative and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater in Western Cape Province, South Africa
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2021-01-28) Johnson, R.; Muller, C. J. F.; Ghoor, S.; Louw, J.; Archer, E.; Surujlal-Naicker, S.; Berkowitz, N.; Volschenk, M.; Brocker, L. H. L.; Wolfaardt, G.; Van der Walt, M.; Mutshembele, A. M.; Malema, S.; Gelderblom, H. C.; Muhdluli, M.; Gray, G.; Mathee, A.; Street, R.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recent studies have shown that the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater may provide the basis for a surveillance system to track the environmental dissemination of this virus in communities. An effective wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) system may prove critical in South Africa (SA), where health systems infrastructure, testing capacity, personal protective equipment and human resource capacity are constrained. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the potential of SARS-CoV-2 RNA surveillance in untreated wastewater as the basis for a system to monitor COVID-19 prevalence in the population, an early warning system for increased transmission, and a monitoring system to assess the effectiveness of interventions. The laboratory confirmed the presence (qualitative analysis) and determined the RNA copy number of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (quantitative) analysis from 24-hour composite samples collected on 18 June 2020 from five wastewater treatment plants in Western Cape Province, SA. The study has shown that a WBE system for monitoring the status and trends of COVID-19 mass infection in SA is viable, and its development and implementation may facilitate the rapid identification of hotspots for evidence-informed interventions.