The recently demonstrated ability to reliably identify and measure COVID-19 genetic material in untreated wastewater is one of the most exciting advances in Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). This advance has put a powerful new tool in the hands of those trying to defeat the virus, giving schools the ability to detect potential outbreaks weeks earlier than conventional population monitoring.
Schools using wastewater-based epidemiology methods have shown the potential to detect COVID-19 in wastewater samples well in advance of an outbreak compared to the testing of individual students. A means of avoiding complete campus shutdowns is through the use of portable samplers. Hot spots are easily detected using portable samplers, taking aliquots daily at sensitive locations.
Teledyne ISCO is the leading manufacturer of sampling and analytical instruments used to collect wastewater samples that researchers use to predict COVID-19 flareups through a "Virus Radar" system.
The two most popular Teledyne ISCO samplers on campuses today are the portable Avalanche with powered refrigeration that is perfect for genetic material preservation and the Glacier with its 12-volt deep-cycle battery that provides 48 + hours of unpowered refrigerated composite sampling.
Wastewater-based epidemiology efforts, which incorporate these kinds of instruments, are a valuable tool in keeping schools open and keeping students safe.
For more information, contact Advance Instruments. Call them now at (888) 388-6446 or visit their website at https://advanceinstruments.com.
