No improvement in viral load in wastewater

According to the weekly EODY report for 29 November to 5 December, there was a downward trend in the average weekly SARS-CoV-2 viral load in eight out of the thirteen areas inspected by the EODY National Network of Sewage Epidemiology compared to the previous week. The level remained steady in the other five areas.

The greatest decrease was observed in Agios Nikolaos, Patras and Ioannina, followed by Rethymnon and Larissa, with slight decreases in Thessaloniki, Xanthi and Alexandroupolis.

The viral load in urban wastewater remained basically the same in Corfu, Heraklion, Volos, Chania and Attica.

EODY

For the week 29/11-5/12 the average weekly viral load in urban wastewater in Corfu Town remained at the same level (+9%) as the previous week.

Attica   -10%
Thessaloniki   -19%
Larissa   -44%
Volos   -7%
Heraklion   -4%
Chania   -8%
Rethymnon   -42%
Agios Nikolaos   -73%
Patras   -69%
Xanthi   -27%
Alexandroupolis   -30%
Ioannina   -68%
Corfu   +9%

The head of Corfu Covid Watch, epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos told Enimerosi that the wastewater viral load indicator is complementary data used in assessing the epidemiological situation and is not always in line with developments in the pandemic. He stressed that most weight is placed on the so-called 'hard' indicators - positive cases, hospitalisations, serious cases and deaths.

"Nevertheless, this EODY report is in line with the present situation in Corfu - a stable high level," he said. "We are now expecting a slow, gradual decrease in the epidemiological indicators and an even slower decrease in Covid hospitalisations at Corfu Hospital."