Abstract
A residential building’s wastewater presents a potential non-invasive method of surveilling numerous infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed wastewater from 16 different residential locations at Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY, USA) during fall semester 2020, testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA twice weekly and compared the presence of clinical COVID-19 cases to detection of the viral RNA in wastewater. The sensitivity of wastewater surveillance to correctly identify dormitories with a case of COVID-19 ranged from 95% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 76-100%) on the same day as the case was diagnosed to 73% (95% CI = 53-92%), with 7 days lead time of wastewater. The positive predictive value ranged from 20% (95% CI = 13-30%) on the same day as the case was diagnosed to 50% (95% CI = 40-60%) with 7 days lead time. The specificity of wastewater surveillance to correctly identify dormitories without a case of COVID-19 ranged from 60% (95% CI = 52-67%) on the day of the wastewater sample to 67% (95% CI = 58-74%) with 7 days lead time. The negative predictive value ranged from 99% (95% CI = 95-100%) on the day of the wastewater sample to 84% (95% CI = 77-91%) with 7 days lead time. Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 at the building level is highly accurate in determining if residents have a COVID-19 infection. Particular benefit is derived from negative wastewater results that can confirm a building is COVID-19 free.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; college dormitories; residence halls; sensitivity analysis; specificity analysis; wastewater surveillance; wastewater-based epidemiology.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Wastewater-based epidemiology, wastewater surveillance, sensitivity analysis, college dormitories, residence halls, specificity analysis, 【초록키워드】 Infectious diseases, Diseases, Epidemiology, Predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, wastewater, Positive predictive value, Surveillance, COVID-19 infection, sensitivity analysis, SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Viral RNA, USA, university, Negative predictive value, Lead time, residential building, Non-invasive, twice weekly, 95% CI, 95% confidence interval, COVID-19 case, building, benefit, analyzed, identify, diagnosed, ranged, Particular, 【제목키워드】 university, New York,