Utilizing Wastewater Surveillance to Examine SARS-CoV-2 RNA Presence in Wastewater During a Period of Mass Vaccination on a College Campus

PURPOSE: The use of wastewater surveillance has guided decisions at colleges and universities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to utilize wastewater-based epidemiology and surveillance to examine trends of SARS-CoV-2 RNA signal in wastewater during a period of mass vaccination at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). SUBJECTS: The study population included over 28,000 faculty, staff, and students, of which over 91% of faculty and staff and over 85% of students became vaccinated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A secondary dataset from Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) and the GVSU COVID-19 data dashboard was used. AWRI and the Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) department at GVSU extracted and purified viral RNA from each sample and assayed for COVID-19 biomarkers using the RT-ddPCR. ANALYSES: Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.4. A Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ), and Fisher’s Exact test assessed the quantitative comparison and correlations of wastewater data, COVID-19 cases, and vaccination rates. RESULTS: The same-day SARS-CoV-2 gene copies, found in wastewater, had a positive correlation with COVID-19 7-day case averages at all eight sampling sites on GVSU\u27s campus, two of which were statistically significant. A decrease in SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity was seen from April (51.8%) to October (9.7%), followed by an increase in November (29.7%) after Fall break and homecoming. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity then decreased in December (23.5%). CONCLUSION: Wastewater-based epidemiology can provide a snapshot of disease burden in a community and is an essential tool in determining public health interventions