Wastewater testing sheds light on COVID-19 trends

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 21, 2020

Tests of wastewater from across Maine have shown a steady increase in COVID-19 cases in recent months, offering additional, localized insight into the spread of the coronavirus. Some Maine colleges, meanwhile, have successfully used the stuff flushed down the toilet to detect and isolate cases before they lead to larger outbreaks. St. Joseph’s College, for instance, has found infected-but-asymptomatic individuals on campus after following the virus trail to specific buildings. Still, it would take more frequent and robust screening to turn the state’s massive network of toilets into an early warning system for infection spikes.