The Town of Wolfville says new research has detected coronavirus in the town’s wastewater.
In October, Fredericton-based company LuminUltra filed a patent for technology that it says can help provide quick and early detection of COVID-19 in a community.
The company, alongside researchers at Dalhousie University, say testing sewage is portable and less costly than traditional laboratory testing.
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LuminUltra partnered with Acadia University to conduct research on Wolfville’s municipal wastewater system.
In a release on Friday, the Town of Wolfville stated COVID-19 was detected in its sewage.
“This research is still experimental so can’t be considered definitive. But it could be a signal that COVID-19 is present in our community,” read the release.
In a provincial update on Friday, chief of health Dr. Robert Strang said Public Health is expanding the COVID-19 intake centre in that area as a result of the findings.
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Strang said the research might indicate that COVID-19 has spread to that community.
The province said health officials are hoping to have pop-up rapid testing site in Wolfville later this week.
The town is advising residents to monitor for symptoms.
Global News has reached out to Wolfville Mayor Wendy Donovan for reaction to the story.