SAMRC’S wastewater surveillance team detects declining concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the majority of wastewater treatment plants across their programme

Cape Town | Scientists from the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) wastewater surveillance team have reported declining concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in the majority of wastewater treatment plants in their programme.

The SAMRC’s wastewater surveillance team undertakes weekly sampling and analysis of wastewater from 72 wastewater treatment plants located in urban and rural areas across four provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Western Cape) to support the management of COVID-19 in South Africa.

The concentrations of non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments are levelling off or declining in both urban and rural areas in the SAMRC’s wastewater surveillance programme. “We are seeing this pattern of levelling  or declining concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in 89% of the wastewater treatment plants we are monitoring in urban areas (Buffalo City, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay) and 97% of wastewater treatment plants in rural areas in Limpopo Province, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape,” said Professor Angela Mathee, a member of the team.

“The declining concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in wastewater corroborate what we’re seeing with COVID-19 cases around the country,” said Dr Renée Street, who plays a lead role in the team. She cautioned however that while SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels are declining, they remain high and a cause for public health concern.  

“The declining concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater are very encouraging,” said Professor Glenda Gray, President of the SAMRC, “but should not be viewed as an indication that we may drop our guard”, she added. Professor Gray said that human behaviour, such as wearing masks, avoiding crowds and gatherings, holding essential gatherings outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces and hand hygiene are pivotal in controlling COVID-19 waves, and urged all to persist with these recommended and effective practices, especially during the current holiday season. She also called on all to seek vaccination, and for those who are eligible, to take booster shots.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR:

• The SAMRC wastewater surveillance team reminds all that they are monitoring wastewater for fragments of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and not the live, infectious virus.
• There is no evidence that COVID-19, no matter the variant, can be contracted from wastewater or water, including drinking water.

Further information on the SAMRC Wastewater Surveillance Programme may be obtained on their Dashboard at www.samrc.ac.za/wbe.

Contact Details
Tendani Tsedu
Head of Corporate & Marketing Communication
Email: tendani.tsedu@mrc.ac.za