This report is based on data collected up to 15 March 2023 (week 10 of 2023)

Key highlights:

• SARS-CoV-2 levels continue to vary in different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in South Africa, with some showing moderate or slight increases while others remain low. The varying levels of SARS-CoV-2 in different WWTPs may reflect the differences in the prevalence of COVID-19 in the communities that the WWTPs serve.
• Consistent increases, at moderate levels, are seen at Daspoort WWTP, which serves areas in Pretoria, and in Hartebeesfontein WWTP, which serves the Northern part of These consistent increases may imply increased community transmission of COVID-19 in these areas. Vlakplaats WWTP, situated in Ekurhuleni, has shown recent increases in SARS-CoV-2, which will be confirmed in subsequent weeks.
• Low levels of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected at wastewater plants in eThekwini and Mangaung Municipalities.

SARS-CoV-2 genomics in wastewater:

Sequencing data available up to week 07 (15^th February, 2023) shows that Omicron lineages BA.5 and BA.2.75 with BQ.1 and XBB.1.5 dominance are overall, circulating in February in South Africa

Wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in South Africa (week 10 2023)

Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 RNA is being undertaken by the South African medical research council (SA-MRC) at additional sites. Click here to view the results https://www.samrc.ac.za/wbe/