Waste-watching: Sewage can help track pandemic virus trends
In this undated photo provided by Biobot in June 2020, a technician holds a wastewater sampling tube. Across the U.S. and in Europe, researchers and health officials say they can track the course of a community outbreak by studying the waste flushed from its bathrooms. And that can provide a valuable addition to public health tools, they say. (Biobot via AP)

In this undated photo provided by Biobot in June 2020, a technician holds a wastewater sampling tube. Across the U.S. and in Europe, researchers and health officials say they can track the course of a community outbreak by studying the waste flushed from its bathrooms. And that can provide a valuable addition to public health tools, they say. (Biobot via AP)

Jul. 06, 2020 06:47 AM EDT
In this undated photo provided by Biobot in June 2020 technicians take a sewage sample. Across the U.S. and in Europe, researchers and health officials say they can track the course of a community outbreak by studying the waste flushed from its bathrooms. And that can provide a valuable addition to public health tools, they say. (Biobot via AP)

In this undated photo provided by Biobot in June 2020 technicians take a sewage sample. Across the U.S. and in Europe, researchers and health officials say they can track the course of a community outbreak by studying the waste flushed from its bathrooms. And that can provide a valuable addition to public health tools, they say. (Biobot via AP)

Jul. 06, 2020 06:47 AM EDT