Community Exposure for COVID-19
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EPA researchers have been working on a variety of projects to learn more about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to help states, tribes and communities make sound public health decisions. This webinar will discuss research that sheds light on community exposure of SARS-CoV-2, including virus detection in wastewater, standardized methods for quantifying the virus in wastewater, development of salivary antibody assays, and transmission of the virus through airborne particles. Widespread studies indicate that SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA can be detected in wastewater. EPA researchers have been working with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District and the state of Ohio on wastewater monitoring efforts to understand community prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and track the presence of mutations associated with variants of concern. This has helped the state develop a surveillance system that informs public health officials on measures needed to reduce the risk of infection. Working with researchers at CDC, EPA has identified a need for sensitive, standardized methods to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 in raw sewage. The researchers are developing, evaluating, and applying methods for concentrating and quantifying SARS-CoV-2 with molecular and live, or infectious, assays in wastewater. These standard, reproducible methods of detection are critical to accurately inform public health decisions. EPA researchers developed a salivary immunoassay to detect infection with SARS-CoV-2 and applied it in national demonstration. This multiplex assay is also able to differentiate antibody responses to natural infection and vaccines currently used in the United States. This approach may be used to study the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic in underserved communities and disproportionally affected subpopulations and to better characterize public health impacts. EPA researchers are studying indoor air pathways where there is concern about the potential for direct movement of aerosols from an infected individual to breathing zones of other individuals in the office space. EPA researchers determined baseline levels of exposure from aerosol transport and are testing the impact of practical office modifications that could potentially reduce viral exposure with non-vaccinated people wearing masks.