Tracking COVID-19 through wastewater surveillance: NYSDOH and Wadsworth Center's efforts
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Wadsworth Center laboratory are monitoring wastewater samples for traces of COVID-19, including new variants. The ongoing surveillance has been crucial in understanding the spread of variants and their potential impact on public health. The current focus is on the BA.2.86 variant, which is genetically different from the original Omicron variant and may have the ability to evade prior immunity. The NYSDOH urges positive cases to isolate and take precautions such as vaccination, hand hygiene, and wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.