Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

North Battleford

COVID-19 wastewater levels back on the rise in Saskatoon and Regina

COVID-19 wastewater levels back on the rise in Saskatoon and Regina

Levels of the COVID-19 virus in Saskatoon’s wastewater are back on the rise, according to the University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Water Security. Researcher Femi Oloye said in an email that in the most recent reporting period, the viral RNA load in Saskatoon and Prince Albert increased, while North Battleford saw a decrease. Up to Jan. 25, Saskatoon’s wastewater viral load increased by 97.6 per cent, sitting at a medium level and the 43rd highest concentration measured in the city. That increase comes after weeks of relative stability and most recently, a decrease of 59.4 per cent.

COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon highest in recent weeks, according to wastewater study

COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon highest in recent weeks, according to wastewater study

Saskatoon is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 levels according to the most recent results from a study that tracks the virus in the city's wastewater. The University of Saskatchewan's Global Water Futures Program has been tracking the virus in Prince Albert, North Battleford and Saskatoon via samples taken from wastewater since summer 2020. Saskatoon's viral load has increased by 85.8 per cent from last week's report and is the highest it has been in the past month, according to the study.

Wastewater study shows COVID levels are down in Saskatoon, but up in North Battleford

Wastewater study shows COVID levels are down in Saskatoon, but up in North Battleford

COVID-19 viral loads in wastewater are up in North Battleford, Sask., but down in Saskatoon, the most recent data from the University of Saskatchewan shows. Since the summer of 2020, a group of researchers from the U of S have analyzed wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert in search of traces of the COVID-19 virus. However, data is not available from Prince Albert this week because researchers only received one sample from the city's wastewater, which was delivered late, according to an email from wastewater project manager Femi Oloye.

COVID-19 levels in wastewater down in Saskatoon, P.A. and North Battleford

COVID-19 levels in wastewater down in Saskatoon, P.A. and North Battleford

COVID-19 levels in wastewater are dropping in three Saskatchewan cities, according to University of Saskatchewan researchers who have been tracking the viral load in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford. In Saskatoon, viral levels in wastewater have dipped 14.9 per cent from the previous week. This comes after a massive spike of 460 per cent the week before that.

Severe spike in COVID-19 detected in Saskatoon wastewater

Severe spike in COVID-19 detected in Saskatoon wastewater

The COVID-19 viral load in Saskatoon's wastewater spiked by more than 400 per cent in one week, according to research from the University of Saskatchewan. Researchers from the university's Global Water Futures program have been analyzing wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for COVID-19 since summer 2020. The results can predict a rise or fall of COVID-19 diagnoses about a week in advance. Researchers say most people start shedding SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, within 24 hours of being infected.

Wastewater study shows drop in COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon and North Battleford

Wastewater study shows drop in COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon and North Battleford

COVID-19 levels are down in both Saskatoon and North Battleford, according to the latest data from the University of Saskatchewan's wastewater study. Researchers with the university's Global Water Futures program have been analyzing wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for COVID-19 since summer 2020. The study's results can help predict a rise or fall of COVID-19 diagnoses about a week in advance. In the latest report, which covers the week ending in Nov. 2, Saskatoon saw its biggest weekly drop so far, with SARS-CoV-2 levels down 80 per cent.

New spike in wastewater COVID-19 viral loads concerns researchers at U of S

New spike in wastewater COVID-19 viral loads concerns researchers at U of S

After almost a month of declining numbers, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan say they have seen a jump in COVID-19 viral load in samples taken from wastewater treatment plants in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford. On Monday, researchers at Global Water Futures at the U of S said that evidence of COVID-19 had increased in Saskatoon by 51 per cent compared to the week before. Meanwhile, Prince Albert saw an increase of 86 per cent and North Battleford saw an increase of 58.7 per cent.

Evidence of COVID-19 in wastewater continues to drop in Saskatoon, Prince Albert

Evidence of COVID-19 in wastewater continues to drop in Saskatoon, Prince Albert

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan say levels of COVID-19 have continued to decline in wastewater in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and North Battleford. On Monday, researchers with the university's Global Water Futures program released their weekly wastewater report. Sewage samples are taken from water treatment plants and tested for levels of COVID-19. The results can be used to determine whether case numbers are expected to rise or fall in the short term future.

Wastewater study finds COVID-19 declining in some Sask. cities

Wastewater study finds COVID-19 declining in some Sask. cities

An ongoing study of COVID-19 levels in wastewater conducted by the University of Saskatchewan has found there are less traces of the virus in some of the cities it is tracking. The University of Saskatchewan and Global Water Futures program have been examining wastewater samples from Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford since the summer of 2020. Their goal is to track the spread of COVID-19 in the community through wastewater, with their results usually dictating a rise or fall about a week in advance of changes in cases.

COVID-19 levels decline in Saskatoon and Prince Albert wastewater samples

COVID-19 levels decline in Saskatoon and Prince Albert wastewater samples

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan say levels of COVID-19 were down in Prince Albert and Saskatoon in the latest tests of wastewater samples. Researchers with the university's Global Water Futures program have been analyzing wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for COVID-19 since summer 2020. The study's results can help predict a rise or fall of COVID-19 diagnoses about a week in advance. The latest samples show the week-over-week SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA load in Saskatoon's wastewater decreased by 36.2 per cent.

Wastewater studies in three Sask. cities show COVID-19 levels continue to rise

Wastewater studies in three Sask. cities show COVID-19 levels continue to rise

COVID-19 viral loads are rising once again in the wastewater of several Saskatchewan cities, the most recent data from the University of Saskatchewan shows. Since the summer of 2020, a group of researchers from the U of S have analyzed wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert in search of traces of the COVID-19 virus. Prince Albert data from the latest reporting period, which goes up to Sept. 12, showed a 66.2 per cent week-over-week increase in SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA load in the city's wastewater.

COVID-19 viral loads in major Sask. cities' wastewater at highest levels in months

COVID-19 viral loads in major Sask. cities' wastewater at highest levels in months

The COVID-19 viral loads in some of Saskatchewan's major cities are the highest they've been in months, according to the latest weekly report from University of Saskatchewan researchers. Researchers with the university's Global Water Futures program have been analyzing wastewater samples from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for COVID-19 since summer 2020. The study's results can help predict a rise or fall of COVID-19 diagnoses about a week in advance. In an email on Sunday, the team's lead researcher John Giesy said the viral load has "increased significantly" in all three cities, continuing a 10-week trend of upticks.

Wastewater analysis shows spike in Saskatoon's coronavirus load, drop in other Sask. cities

Wastewater analysis shows spike in Saskatoon's coronavirus load, drop in other Sask. cities

COVID-19 levels in the wastewater of some Saskatchewan cities are plateauing or even dropping, but the level is spiking in Saskatoon, according to the latest study. The Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan tests the wastewater in Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert each week to determine how much COVID-19 is circulating in those centres.

Wastewater study indicates COVID-19 levels remain relatively low in Saskatchewan

Wastewater study indicates COVID-19 levels remain relatively low in Saskatchewan

The latest wastewater study from the University of Saskatchewan shows COVID-19 viral loads are lingering at lower levels in Saskatchewan's larger communities. The Global Institute for Water Security has been regularly testing wastewater samples in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford. Omicron BA.2 remains the dominant subvariant in all three cities.

Wastewater study indicates COVID-19 levels low in Sask. despite small regional upticks

Wastewater study indicates COVID-19 levels low in Sask. despite small regional upticks

The ongoing study of wastewater in an effort to track the prevalence of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan's larger communities has recorded among some of the lowest levels of viral load since January, according to the researchers behind it. The Global Institute for Water Security has been regularly testing wastewater samples in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford. The viral loads in each city are based on an average of three measurements over the week and measure the number of particles, in the tens of thousands, in 100 mL of sewage. The result provides insight into how much virus that causes COVID-19 is in a community — often a cautionary report before a more tangible rise in case numbers and hospitalizations.

Saskatoon COVID-19 levels see increase in latest wastewater study

Saskatoon COVID-19 levels see increase in latest wastewater study

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan say COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon have increased again, signalling that the sixth wave is not over yet. On Monday, head researcher and toxicologist John Giesy released this week's COVID numbers, showing a 44 per cent increase from the previous week. "[This confirms] that the viral load is large in Saskatoon, with the second greatest amount ever observed and approximately the same amount as it was a month before," wrote Giesy.

Wastewater shows coronavirus viral load down in Saskatoon and North Battleford, up in Prince Albert and Regina

Wastewater shows coronavirus viral load down in Saskatoon and North Battleford, up in Prince Albert and Regina

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have published the latest coronavirus wastewater data, showing a downward trend in Saskatoon and North Battleford, but also a jump of viral load in the Prince Albert wastewater. Scientists from the university's Global Institute for Water Security continue to monitor wastewater from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for the viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) load of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Viral load down in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford wastewater

Viral load down in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford wastewater

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have published the latest wastewater data, revealing a drop of viral load in the wastewater of several Saskatchewan cities. Scientists from the university's Global Institute for Water Security continue to monitor wastewater from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for the viral RNA load of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Resurgence of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, Regina worries wastewater researchers

Resurgence of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, Regina worries wastewater researchers

A group of researchers at the University of Saskatchewan is worried about the numbers coming from the latest wastewater study. Every week, researchers test sewage samples taken from water treatment plants across the province to see whether evidence of COVID-19 is increasing or decreasing. That number is used to predict whether cases of COVID-19 will rise or fall in the future. During the latest sampling period ending March 16, researchers found that numbers were back on the rise.

Sask. universities find high levels of coronavirus viral load in cities' wastewater Social Sharing

Sask. universities find high levels of coronavirus viral load in cities' wastewater Social Sharing

A University of Saskatchewan professor says recent coronavirus monitoring in Saskatoon's wastewater has found levels among the highest point reported during the pandemic. Researchers from the university's Global Institute for Water Security continue to monitor wastewater from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert for the viral RNA load of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

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