It is possible to see the presence and quantity of SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in the population in a given territory by sampling and analyzing wastewater. This analysis gives us information on the evolution of the virus from 2 to 7 days before the individual tests: in Quebec City, the rise of the virus during the 3rd wave was seen in the wastewater 5 days before the clinic screening. This wastewater monitoring system makes it possible to quickly see the effectiveness of new sanitary measures.
CentrEau is leading the CentrEau-COVID pilot project, a $1.7M project (financed by the Fonds de recherche du Québec, among others) that aims to implement a monitoring system in Montreal, Quebec City and Laval, as well as a few municipalities in the Bas-Saint-Laurent/Gaspésie and Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec regions.
Libéo has developed an interactive tool that allows you to see, week after week, region after region, the evolution of the virus in the population through its wastewater.
For now, only data for Montreal, Quebec City and the Bas-Saint-Laurent/Gaspésie region can be found, but work is ongoing to add Laval and Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec.
