Coronavirus level is the highest in southern and central Estonia

This week’s results of the waste water analysis led by the University of Tartu show an increase in virus levels. Compared to the index describing the average situation in Estonia, the virus level is the highest in the waste water of places in southern and central Estonia. Larger cities in Ida-Viru County stand out by low levels of the virus.

According to the lead researcher of the study, Professor of Technology of Antimicrobial Compounds of the University of Tartu Tanel Tenson, this week’s results show that the virus is more evenly spread across southern Estonia compared to last week. While a week ago, the main outbreaks were in larger cities, the most recent analysis shows a very wide spread of the virus also in Tõrva and Elva, for instance. Samples with a high level of coronavirus were taken from several other smaller sites in southern Estonia. “Compared to the index describing the average situation in Estonia, the virus level is lower in Ida-Viru County, western Estonia and Harju County. 

How are the samples collected?

Waste water samples are collected at the beginning of every week in all county centres, cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants and, if necessary, in smaller settlements.  Samples taken from larger cities reflect the situation of waste water passing through the treatment plant over 24 hours, giving a reliable overview of the infection level in the city. The spot samples taken in smaller places show the situation at the moment of sampling. Spot samples are more easily affected by various factors and should therefore be used in comparison over several weeks to estimate the trend rather than get a definitive picture of the current situation.

The study is a tool helping the Health Board monitor changes in the outbreak dynamics and discover hidden outbreaks. It gives early information for estimating the spread of the virus before clinical cases are detected. The Health Board is regularly informed of the results.

In the collection of samples, the University of Tartu cooperates with the Estonian Environmental Research Centre and water companies operating the water treatment plants of Estonian cities. The samples are analysed at the laboratories of the University of Tartu Institute of Technology.

For more information about the previous results of the study, see the home page of the study “Detecting coronavirus in waste water”.

Further information: Tanel Tenson, Professor of Technology of Antimicrobial Compounds of the University of Tartu, tanel.tenson@ut.ee, 5344 5202