Both the amount of general COVID-19 virus present in Saskatoon’s waste water and the amount that is the Delta variant, have increased significantly in the latest measurements taken over a time period which includes the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Wastewater virus load has increased 109 per cent in Saskatoon while the Delta variant present has gone up by 156 per cent n in the period spanning October 7-13.

The information was in the latest report from researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and Global Water Futures.

Prince Albert saw a 61per cent increase in SARS CoV-2 and a 58 per cent increase in the Delta variant. The measurements were taken October 5-11.

North Battleford, which is the only other location in the province being monitored at this time, saw a 124 per cent increase in overall COVID-19 present in the waste water while the amount of COVID-19 that could be attributed to the Delta variant has increased by 51 per cent. The measures in North Battleford were gauged between October 4-9.

It can take seven to ten days for the measurements taken, involving wastewater and the COVID-19 virus, to then become case numbers presented by the province after someone is tested for COVID-19.