Decline in Toronto's COVID-19 infections could be slowing or plateauing: wastewater data
Newly released wastewater data suggests that the recent decline in COVID-19 transmission in Toronto could be slowing or even plateauing but the city’s top health official says that she still remains cautiously optimistic about the weeks ahead.
The data, which was posted to the city’s website on Friday morning, provides the most detailed look yet at the results of a wastewater surveillance project being conducted in collaboration with researchers from Ryerson University and the University of Toronto.
It shows that at three of the city’s four water treatment plants the so-called “wastewater signal” meant to reflect the levels of COVID-19 detected in sewage samples saw “little to no change” over the last 30 days, after previously being on the decline.
Meanwhile, the wastewater signal at Toronto’s other water treatment plant, located in North York, saw a “statistically significant” increase over the same time period.
Discussing the data with reporters at a briefing on Friday, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa conceded that it points to a decline in transmission that could now be “showing some signs of slowing or plateauing.”
But she pointed out that other indicators tracked by the city, including case counts, positivity rates and institutional outbreaks, all continue to decline.
In fact, Toronto’s rolling seven-day average of case counts dropped 38 per cent week-over-week to 871 as of Jan. 25. Its average positivity rate also went from 20.3 per cent to 16.6 per cent over the same time period.
“Taken all together there are certainly some encouraging signs and while they give reason for optimism we must remain cautious, especially as in-person interactions will increase following the loosening of provincial restrictions (on Monday),” she said. “It remains critical that we all continue to do our part to minimize the spread and impact of COVID-19 by taking the steps that have been proven to work time and again. This includes getting vaccinated, reducing our contacts, wearing a well-fitted high quality medical mask, practicing physical distancing, increasing ventilation and staying home when we are sick.”
The city has used wastewater data to track changes in the level of infection in the community throughout most of the pandemic but with the eligibility for PCR testing now significantly reduced, de Villa said that the numbers can be used as a stand in to help the public “understand the presence of COVID-19 in the community regardless of the testing strategy in place.”
To that end, she said that Toronto Public Health will now begin publishing a summary of the data on a weekly basis part of its COVID-19 monitoring dashboard.
The data released on Friday shows an exponential rise in the wastewater signal at Toronto’s water treatment plans as the Omicron variant took hold in December followed by a decline in early January that now appears to be slowing.
Speaking with reporters, de Villa suggested that the data could be a useful tool in monitoring the spread of COVID-19 as we “increasingly” shift away from an approach focused on eliminating the virus to one in which we are learning to live” with it.
“I think the reality now is that increasingly public health officials the world over are recognizing that given the current circumstances and given the presence of variants like Omicron and the significant transmissibility that they bring with them we are likely to find ourselves in a situation where we are learning how to live with COVID,” she said. “What exactly that looks like will depend on what we see on the ground but I think it will involve using those lessons we have learned over the last two years.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.