The COVID-19 viral RNA load in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford increased this past week according to the latest report from University of Saskatchewan researchers.
The viral load in Saskatoon’s wastewater increased by 78.1 per cent, Prince Albert saw an increase of 78.9 per cent and North Battleford is up 40.2 per cent.
The USask team says this is the eight smallest load recorded in Saskatoon since January but is the second successive increase after the load that was recorded on June 24th. This suggests Saskatoon is entering a seventh wave driven by the Omicron BA.5 variant.
Prince Albert’s numbers are indicating they’re entering a seventh wave also driven by Omicron BA.5, although that city is running a week or two behind Saskatoon.
In North Battleford, nearly 15 per cent of the viral load was the BA.5 variant indicating that the variant is likely taking over from Omicron BA.2.
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