Aim: The current study undertaken in Tunisia examines the use of wastewaters to monitor SARS-CoV-2 circulation. Materials & methods: Viral genetic materials collected in wastewaters during two different periods (September–October 2020 and February–April 2021) were concentrated using the adsorption-elution method. SARS-CoV-2 genes were researched by real-time PCR. Results: During the first period of the study, viral RNA was detected in 61.11% of the analyzed samples collected from Monastir city with a rate of 88.88% for raw wastewaters and 33.33% for treated wastewaters. Then, during the second period of the study, the quantitative analysis of wastewaters collected from seven governorates showed the presence of viral RNA among around 25% of them with variable RNA loads. The increased amounts of viral RNA detected in wastewaters were accompanied by an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in Tunisia. Conclusion: Our results emphasize the importance of sewage survey in SARS-CoV-2 tracking. Graphical abstract
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Tunisia, virus monitoring, wastewaters, 【초록키워드】 Real-time PCR, Viral RNA, Quantitative analysis, Abstract, material, genetic material, MONITOR, RNA loads, Seven, analyzed, collected, treated, increase in, accompanied, SARS-CoV-2 gene, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19 pandemic, detection,