Researchers tested Metro Vancouver's wastewater for fragments of COVID virus. Here's what they found.
Vancouver -
New research from the University of British Columbia suggests that testing wastewater can help health officials determine levels of COVID-19 infection in a community, including the rise of variants of concern.
The research, led by UBC professor Dr. Ryan Ziels, analyzed sewage samples from five municipal wastewater plants in the Metro Vancouver region between February and April, 2021, which was a time of increasing COVID-19 case counts.
“The novel coronavirus can be shed in feces, and so many groups around the world have shown that we can detect the frequency or abundance of specific (COVID-19) mutations ... in municipal wastewater,” Ziels said.
Researchers used handheld DNA sequencers to analyze coronavirus genome fragments in the samples. The results showed that viral concentrations in the wastewater may signal future changes in hospitalizations or case numbers in the region.
“We provide this information to our health authorities as an additional aid in their public health strategies,” Ziels said in a statement.
Furthermore, the rapid DNA sequencing means there’s a quick turnaround time for the testing results.
“We provide reports to update our medical health officers in as little as three to four days from sample collection,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Vancouver Island
-
LIVELIVE $110 ICBC rebate coming for eligible drivers, no increase to basic insurance until 2026
Millions of eligible B.C. drivers will receive a rebate before the end of July, ICBC's CEO announced Wednesday.
-
London Drugs president apologizes for cyberattack shutdown as investigation continues
The head of London Drugs is apologizing to customers after all the retailer's stores in Western Canada were shuttered last month by a cybersecurity breach that remains under investigation.
-
Cruise ship worker accused of stabbing 3 people with scissors near Vancouver Island
A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska's capital city, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel off Vancouver Island, according to authorities.
Kelowna
-
Community mourns thousands of fish lost as B.C. drought risk looms again
Images of steelhead and trout flicker over long sheets of paper, brought to life in blue and green crayon rubbings by the thousands.
-
4th targeted shooting in as many days in Kamloops: RCMP
A man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Kamloops Monday evening, the fourth incident police say is part of an ongoing drug conflict playing out on the city's streets.
-
Red dresses to make fashion statement about missing and murdered Indigenous women
Models in uniquely designed red dresses are taking to the runway in British Columbia this weekend to make a powerful fashion statement about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
Edmonton
-
Alberta cell phone users will receive a test emergency alert at 11:55 a.m. MT
This is only a test. Most cell phone users in Alberta will receive a test emergency alert at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday.
-
Charges pending after man follows student to school: officials
Three Edmonton Catholic schools were put on alert Wednesday morning because a man followed a student into school.
-
ATCO subsidiary to build new Alta. pipeline to supply gas to petrochemical project
Canadian Utilities Ltd., a subsidiary of Calgary-based holding company ATCO Ltd., says it plans to build a new natural gas pipeline in Alberta to supply a massive net-zero petrochemical project being built northeast of Edmonton.
Calgary
-
Calgary man charged with sexual assault of Cowboys patron
Calgary police have charged a man with the sexual assault of a woman he met at a downtown club.
-
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
-
Calgary police seek man wanted for sexual assault
Police are looking for the public's help to track down a Calgary suspect.
Lethbridge
-
Northbound lane closed along Aquitania Blvd in Lethbridge
A lane closure was announced by the City of Lethbridge Wednesday.
-
Lethbridge police seeking public assistance to locate 31-year-old man
Lethbridge police are asking for public assistance to help them locate a man wanted on a number of outstanding warrants.
-
Heavy rain, strong winds cause downed trees, power outages across southern Alberta
As of Tuesday afternoon, between 21 and 31 millimetres of rain had fallen in the Lethbridge region since Monday evening.
Winnipeg
-
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
-
Mother collecting helmets for Manitoba First Nations to honour daughter’s legacy
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
-
'They've been increasing': Manitoba seeing jump in number of ticks
This year's tick season is trending upward in Manitoba according to data and experts.
Regina
-
Sask. reports over $200,000 worth of ministerial travel in past 6 months, defends need for trade missions
Premier Scott Moe and his team of officials had the largest travel bill for the most recent six month reporting period – earning scorn from the Official Opposition.
-
Sask. teachers now voting on province's 'final offer'
Voting is open for Saskatchewan teachers Wednesday and Thursday as they decide whether or not to accept a contract offer from the provincial government, dubbed their 'final offer.'
-
Sask. police watchdog offers more details surrounding woman's death in Swift Current
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has released more details surrounding a woman's death that occurred following an interaction with Swift Current RCMP over the weekend.
Saskatoon
-
'Written off': Sask. woman says her brother, who has Down syndrome, fell through the cracks
Tara Jo Kadlec has been advocating for better care for her brother Cory for years.
-
Saskatoon court hears 'not guilty' from one of three accused in 2006 homicide
One of three accused in the killing of a Saskatoon man 18 years ago has pleaded not guilty.
-
Blades season ends with heartbreaking game seven overtime loss to Warriors
They call it sudden death overtime for a reason, and game seven of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) east final between the Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors delivered just that.
Toronto
-
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
-
3 GTA men charged following Markham carjacking incidents
Three men from the GTA have been arrested and charged after police intervened in a May 3 carjacking attempt in Markham.
-
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
Montreal
-
Quebec law students offering free consults to people with housing problems
The Quebec Bar's judicial clinic says it will start offering more free housing consultations to people in need ahead of the July 1 moving day.
-
Quebec government considering banning cell phones in all schools
Quebec’s education minister is now considering banning cell phones everywhere in schools, not just in the classroom, as is currently the case.
-
Drugs, cash and guns seized in Montreal police organized crime raid
Four suspects were arrested, and guns, drugs and cash were seized in a two-day Montreal police organized crime squad operation.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Attempted murder charges laid in Overbrook apartment fire
The Ottawa Police Service has laid charges against an Ottawa man, including for attempted murder, in connection with an alleged arson of an Overbrook apartment building last week.
-
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
-
COMING UP @ 2 PM
COMING UP @ 2 PM Travis Green to be head coach of the Ottawa Senators
Travis Green, 53, is the new head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
Atlantic
-
N.B. Premier Blaine Higgs names new environment minister after last one resigns
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has named a new minister of environment and climate change nearly three weeks after the previous one resigned from the post over political disagreements.
-
Pilot project for three-wheeled vehicles to start in Nova Scotia soon
A pilot project to test and evaluate the operation of federally-approved three-wheeled vehicles on Nova Scotia roads starts next week.
-
Cellphone usage in New Brunswick classrooms will be limited to teaching, medical purposes
Teachers in New Brunswick will soon have the ability to oversee cellphone use in their classrooms and limit their use to teaching or medical purposes only.
London
-
OPP report fatal crash in Seaforth
It happened on Sparling Street in Seaforth. The road is closed between Market Street and John Street.
-
Dozens of suspects, including two from London, charged in sexual abuse investigations in Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police say they have laid hundreds of charges against 64 people, including two from London, in a series of investigations into child sexual abuse.
-
Victim of construction accident dies of injuries
A man working on a Lucan-area home last week has passed away. Collin Mastorakos was injured in a construction accident on Sainsbury Line on April 29.
Kitchener
-
64 people charged in Ontario child exploitation investigations
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 people have been arrested and a combined 348 charges have been laid in connection with a series of child exploitation investigations that spanned across the province.
-
OPP report fatal crash in Seaforth
It happened on Sparling Street in Seaforth. The road is closed between Market Street and John Street.
-
Nuggets’ Jamal Murray fined $100K for throwing objects onto court during loss
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is facing a hefty fine, but avoided suspension, after the NBA said he threw objects onto the court.
Northern Ontario
-
Seven northern Ont. men busted in huge online child exploitation investigation
A province-wide child sexual abuse investigation by Ontario Provincial Police dubbed Project Aquatic has resulted in hundreds of charges, including seven male suspects from northern Ontario.
-
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
-
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
N.L.
-
Crown, defence present closing arguments for N.L. lawyer accused of sexual assault
The trial of a Newfoundland lawyer accused of sexual assault ended Tuesday with his defence team alleging the complainant lied under oath, while the prosecution said her memory lapses were understandable.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.
-
Officer convicted of on-duty rape no longer with Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says an officer convicted in 2021 of raping a woman while on duty is no longer with the force.
