Wastewater data reveal Greenville infections

Data being analyzed by Clemson University show a significant level of COVID-19 infections in Greenville County residents.  Today’s announcement by the non-profit Renewable Water Resources states the program started in early June to test SARS-CoV-2 levels will continue with tests through the end of the year.  SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.  Renewable Water Resources collects samples twice a week from the Mauldin Road treatment plant, which serves the bulk of the greater Greenville area, and sends them to a nationally-recognized biological testing lab.  The data are shared with Clemson’s environmental engineering department, which is involved in a similar testing program on and off the Clemson campus. According to the announcement, 18 samples sent to Clemson show each indicates consistent “significant” to “major” levels of infection in Greenville County’s general population.  Of late, however, according to both state and national reports, the numbers of new cases are starting to plateau.  In Greenville County’s case, according to Wednesday’s DHEC report, there were 25 new cases.  Statewide there were 712 new–the third straight day in which South Carolina cases stayed below 1,000.