The COVID-19 viral load in the wastewater in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and North Battleford has risen significantly. USask’s Global Institute for Water Security is reporting on its website that for the week leading up to March 16th, there was an over 66 per cent increase in the virus found in the wastewater in Saskatoon. North Battleford’s viral load increased by over 93 per cent and in Prince Albert, by over 96 per cent.

The website says the increase in viral load could mean a rise in positive cases in the following seven to ten days, but in a partially vaccinated population the rise in case numbers may not be reflected.

In Saskatoon, about 39 per cent of the virus is the Omicron variant, 34 per cent is the Omicron subvariant BA-2, and 26 per cent is non-Omicron. In Prince Albert, just over 80 per cent is the Omicron variant, followed by almost 18 per cent from its subvariant, and 2 per cent non-Omicron. North Battleford’s wastewater is just over 49 per cent Omicron BA-2, 41 per cent Ommicron and almost 10 per cent non-Omicron.

The GIWS says the rend over the last three weeks has been increasing, which indicates a double wave for the Omicron wave, driven now by its subvariant.