SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) – The Town of South Hadley is participating in sending sewage data to be tested for signs of the virus that causes COVID-19.
The company called BioBot released their findings from samples collected on August 19. Biobot analyzed the wastewater to determine the presence of infected individuals and estimate the number of cases specific to South Hadley.
I just thought it was a really good tool to be used for a pandemic and that if they could utilize this to catch spikes before they happen and to better manage, then maybe this is a tool we have going forward.
Melissa LaBonte, Water Pollution Control Compliance Manager
The report of sewage sampling was released on August 21 and indicated 400 new COVID-19 cases.
The CDC is currently developing a portal for state and local health departments to submit wastewater testing data into a national database to help better understand the extent of COVID-19 infections.
South Hadley Sewage Sample Report
BioBot will release its reports to the Town of South Hadley monthly.
South Hadley officials reported Tuesday, there are 212 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 212 people who have come in direct contact with someone who has tested positive, nine probable cases who are likely to have the virus but are waiting test results or have been quarantined, 3 suspected people who have showed signs of the virus and a total of 25 deaths.
