The COVID-19 viral RNA load is down in the wastewater in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and North Battleford, according to the latest report from the Global Institute for Water Security on the USask campus. The makeup of the virus is all Omicron and its subvariants. (see below) In Saskatoon, it’s down by 33 per cent, and is the fourth smallest viral load since the beginning of January.

Prince Albert’s viral load decreased by just over three per cent and is the third lowest number since the beginning of the year, and in North Battleford, the viral load has gone down by almost 76 per cent. It too, is the third smallest load since January.

USask professor, Dr. John Giesy, explains that the new variants of Omicron are increasing, but it’s also summer, which normally results in a decrease in viral respiratory infections. He adds that the BA.5 variant seems to go farther into the lungs, and also seems to be able to circumvent the immune system, so it can infect people multiple times.

Saskatoon viral load: -33.1%
BA.5: 27% (+12.8)
BA.2.12.1: 46.5%
Other BA.2: 26.4%

Prince Albert viral load -3.3%
BA.5: 22.6% (+20.4%)
BA.2.12.1:45.2%
Other BA.2: 32.2%

North Battleford viral load -75.6%
BA.5: 15.6% (+0.8%)
BA.2.12.1: 6.8%
Other BA.2: 77.6%