Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan who are monitoring the COVID-19 viral R-N-A load in wastewater say that while there are increases in this week’s data from the previous report, what seems like a relatively large percentage increase might only represent a few additional infected persons.

The USask researchers add that this week’s data is still at some of the lowest values over the last 18 weeks, consistent with an overall decreasing trend. Once again, the Omicron B-A-2 variant of the virus accounts for 100 per cent of the viral R-N-A load in Saskatoon, as well as in Prince Albert and North Battleford.

All three centres showed an increase in COVID viral R-N-A load. In Saskatoon, the increase was 20.6 per cent in the reporting period up to May 18. The largest increase of the three centres was 161.9 per cent in North Battleford as of May 15 while Prince Albert’s COVID viral R-N-A load increase was 95.4 per cent as of May 16.