Last week, USask researchers reported that the viral load of COVID-19 in the wastewater was down in Saskatoon, but on the rise in Prince Albert and North Battleford, and for this reporting week, it’s the opposite.

The viral load in Saskatoon rose almost 149 per cent for the week that ended last Wednesday. In Prince Albert, the viral load is down by almost 51 per cent and in North Battleford it’s down by almost 65 per cent. All of the viral load is various subvariants of Omicron. The Global Institute for Water Security says Saskatoon’s increase is the first after three successive decreases. The concentration is considered to be medium in all three cities because they are lower than their ten-week average.

In both Saskatoon and Prince Albert, Influenza A is increasing while it remains constant in North Battleford compared to last week. There was no Flu B or RSV in the wastewater.