COVID-19 levels rising at Ashtabula wastewater treatment plant

ASHTABULA, Ohio (WOIO) - Health officials are urging residents to take simple precautions after an uptick in COVID-19 markers in untreated water.

The city of Ashtabula Health Department says the Ohio Wastewater Monitoring Network has reported rising levels of the virus that causes COVID-19 in wastewater at the Ashtabula Wastewater Pollution Control Plant. The SARS-CoV-2 levels are described as increasing but currently moderate. Influenza levels remain low, and RSV was not detected in the most recent sampling.

Officials say wastewater monitoring can act as an early warning system, with higher viral concentrations often appearing before increases in illnesses, reported cases and hospitalizations.

The health department is asking residents to stay home when sick, practice good hand hygiene, and take extra care around people at higher risk for serious complications from respiratory infections.