'The highest levels they’ve been ever': Wastewater testing shows growing spread of COVID-19

Experts are warning the public of a potentially record-setting spread of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region.

Experts are warning the public of a potentially record-setting spread of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region.

Mark Servos, the Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection, has been monitoring COVID-19 through local wastewater since 2020. His team at the University of Waterloo analyzes and detects fragments of the virus in their lab.

Servos said the highest levels found in wastewater came in 2022 but recent data shows the community is seeing a similar trend.

“The levels of [COVID-19] are at the highest levels they’ve been ever,” he told CTV News.

He said the latest reports show figures for Kitchener and Cambridge mirror the peak of the pandemic, and Galt is seeing its highest levels of COVID-19 detection.

“There’s hundreds or even thousands of people that have COVID-19 right now,” Servos said.

MORE: Look inside Waterloo Region's wastewater surveillance program