Saskatoon, Regina wastewater studies release latest results

The University of Saskatchewan’s wastewater study showed a decrease in COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon this week, but increases in Prince Albert and North Battleford.

In the latest report by the U of S research team, the study showed a 35 per cent decrease in the viral RNA load in Saskatoon’s wastewater from the previous week.

However, Prince Albert posted an increase of around 112 per cent, while North Battleford experienced a 60 per cent increase.

The Omicron subvariant BA.2 continues to be the dominant strain in those cities, accounting for 100 per cent of levels in Saskatoon, 98 per cent in North Battleford and 80 per cent in P.A.

The University of Regina’s latest wastewater study said viral levels were unchanged from the previous week and remain high. However, the report said “preliminary data suggest that the levels may start decreasing in the following period.”

The U of R said the BA.2.3 subvariant is the dominant strain in Regina, Swift Current and Weyburn while BA.2 is dominant in Yorkton.

— With files from paNOW’s Jaryn Vecchio