High Sensitivity and Specificity of Dormitory-Level Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19 during Fall Semester 2020 at Syracuse University, New York

Alex Godinez, Dustin Hill, Bryan Dandaraw, Hyatt Green, Pruthvi Kilaru, Frank Middleton, Sythong Run, Brittany L. Kmush and David A. Larsen
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Alex Godinez: David B. Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Dustin Hill: David B. Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Bryan Dandaraw: Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Hyatt Green: Department of Environmental Biology, College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Pruthvi Kilaru: David B. Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Frank Middleton: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Sythong Run: David B. Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Brittany L. Kmush: David B. Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
David A. Larsen: David B. Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: A residential building’s wastewater presents a potential non-invasive method of surveilling numerous infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed wastewater from 16 different residential locations at Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY, USA) during fall semester 2020, testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA twice weekly and compared the presence of clinical COVID-19 cases to detection of the viral RNA in wastewater. The sensitivity of wastewater surveillance to correctly identify dormitories with a case of COVID-19 ranged from 95% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 76–100%) on the same day as the case was diagnosed to 73% (95% CI = 53–92%), with 7 days lead time of wastewater. The positive predictive value ranged from 20% (95% CI = 13–30%) on the same day as the case was diagnosed to 50% (95% CI = 40–60%) with 7 days lead time. The specificity of wastewater surveillance to correctly identify dormitories without a case of COVID-19 ranged from 60% (95% CI = 52–67%) on the day of the wastewater sample to 67% (95% CI = 58–74%) with 7 days lead time. The negative predictive value ranged from 99% (95% CI = 95–100%) on the day of the wastewater sample to 84% (95% CI = 77–91%) with 7 days lead time. Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 at the building level is highly accurate in determining if residents have a COVID-19 infection. Particular benefit is derived from negative wastewater results that can confirm a building is COVID-19 free.

Keywords: wastewater surveillance; wastewater-based epidemiology; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; college dormitories; residence halls; sensitivity analysis; specificity analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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