In response to the provincial government releasing its monthly COVID-19 update on Thursday, a USask toxicologist says their wastewater data predicted the increase in cases weeks earlier, and also predicted that the last wave would be driven by Omicron BA.5, and that it would become the predominant variant.

The test positivity rate increase from 3.8 to 4 per cent. There were 628 new cases of COVID reported in the period from June 26th to July 16th.

Dr. John Giesy says they know that based on their data and comparing it to the now monthly updates from the government that their research can give the public more lead time on the COVID-19 trends and the proportions of variants. He had previously stated that the project may not continue, but now says they will continue with three samples per week from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert, and the information will be posted weekly.