The Albany County Department of Health today reported a 32% spike in COVID-19 intensity over a two-week period found in wastewater samples collected and analyzed on April 4 at the Albany County Water Purification District’s South Plant. The South Plant serves an estimated 80,922 City of Albany residents.

Measuring COVID levels in wastewater is a leading indicator of the Coronavirus infection rate and a more accurate estimation, as it is not dependent on individuals making the choice to be tested. A spike in COVID intensity will likely mean a corresponding spike in COVID case counts and percent positivity in the near future.

It is important to note that the samples being reported on are only representative of a portion of City of Albany residents, and not necessarily Albany County as a whole, as most water treatment facilities have not established this type of reporting mechanism. For more information on the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network and more county-specific data, please follow the link here.