Monitoring COVID-19 spread in selected Prague's schools based on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-05, Vol.871, p.161935, Article 161935
• Main Authors: Lopez Marin, Marco A., Zdenkova, K., Bartackova, J., Cermakova, E., Dostalkova, A., Demnerova, K., Vavruskova, L., Novakova, Z., Sykora, P., Rumlova, M., Bartacek, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 epidemic; Humans; Pandemics; Prague; RNA, Viral; RT-mqPCR; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Schools; Sewer network; Wastewater; Wastewater-based epidemiology
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161935

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded a broad range of techniques to better monitor its extent. Owing to its consistency, non-invasiveness, and cost effectiveness, wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a relevant approach to monitor the pandemic's course. In this work, we analyzed the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic in five primary schools in Prague, the Czech Republic, and how different preventive measures impact the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copy numbers in wastewaters. Copy numbers were measured by reverse transcription–multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. These copy numbers were compared to the number of infected individuals in each school identified through regular clinical tests. Each school had a different monitoring regime and subsequent application of preventive measures to thwart the spread of COVID-19. The schools that constantly identified and swiftly quarantined infected individuals exhibited persistently low amounts of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies in their wastewaters. In one school, a consistent monitoring of infected individuals, coupled with a delayed action to quarantine, allowed for the estimation of a linear model to predict the number of infected individuals based on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewater. The results show the importance of case detection and quarantining to stop the spread of the pandemic and its impact on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewaters. This work also shows that wastewater-based epidemiological models can be reliably used even in small water catchments, but difficulties arise to fit models due to the nonconstant input of viral particles into the wastewater systems. [Display omitted] •SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence was measured in the sewer network of five primary schools in Prague, the Czech Republic•Consistent wastewater monitoring by RT-mqPCR took place from September 2021 through December 2021•For two schools, the amount of RNA in wastewater correlated well with clinical-based data (Pearson's r 0.49 and 0.54)•Different strategies against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have an impact on the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater