COVID-19 wastewater monitoring expands to Fredericton – CBC
Surveillance sites coming ‘soon’ to Saint John and Bathurst, says Department of Health
Jan 12, 2023
New Brunswick has expanded COVID-19 wastewater monitoring to Fredericton and plans to launch surveillance sites in Saint John and Bathurst “in the near future,” the Department of Health has confirmed.
Wastewater results can serve as an early warning of community infection levels for decision-makers and residents.
People who are infected shed the virus in their feces in the form of a genetic material called ribonucleic acid, or RNA, which can be found in raw sewage, typically five to seven days before they develop symptoms.
Sample collection began in Fredericton at the end of December, said department spokesperson Adam Bowie.
“We don’t have an exact date [for Saint John and Bathurst] yet, but it’s soon,” he said in an emailed statement.
