Time-evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater during the first pandemic wave of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area of Barcelona.

Two large wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), covering around 2.7 M inhabitants, which represents around 85% of the metropolitan area of Barcelona, were sampled before, during and after the implementation of a complete lockdown. Five one-step RT-qPCR assays, targeting the polymerase (IP2 and IP4), the envelope E and the nucleoprotein (N1 and N2) genome regions, were employed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in 24-h composite wastewater samples concentrated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in a sewage sample collected 41 days ahead of the declaration of the first COVID-19 case. The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 genome copies in wastewater evidenced the validity of water-based epidemiology to anticipate COVID-19 outbreaks, to evaluate the impact of control measures and even to estimate the burden of shedders, including presymptomatic, asymptomatic, symptomatic and undiagnosed cases. For this latter objective, a model was applied for the estimation of the total number of shedders, evidencing a high proportion of asymptomatic infected individuals. In this way, an infection prevalence of 2.0-6.5% was figured. On the other hand, a proportion of around 0.12% and 0.09% of the total population was determined to be required for positive detection in the two WWTPs. At the end of the lockdown, SARS-CoV-2 RNA apparently disappeared in the WWTPs but could still be detected in grab samples from four urban sewers. Sewer monitoring allowed for location of specific hot spots of COVID-19, enabling the rapid adoption of appropriate mitigation measures. IMPORTANCE Water-based epidemiology (WBE) is a valuable early warning tool for tracking the circulation of the virus among the population, including not only symptomatic patients, but also asymptomatic, presymptomatic and misdiagnosed carriers, which represent a high proportion of the infected population. In the specific case of Barcelona, wastewater surveillance anticipated several weeks not only the original COVID-19 pandemic wave, but also the onset of the second wave. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in wastewater evidenced the efficacy of the adopted lockdown measures on the circulation of the virus.

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Characterizing the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation measures: A data-centric approach (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.21321 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lukman Olagoke ◽

Ahmet E. Topcu

Keyword(s):

Control Measure ◽

Control Measures ◽

World Health ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Effective Control ◽

The World ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

And Performance ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND COVID-19 represents a serious threat to both national health and economic systems. To curb this pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a series of COVID-19 public safety guidelines. Different countries around the world initiated different measures in line with the WHO guidelines to mitigate and investigate the spread of COVID-19 in their territories. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of these control measures using a data-centric approach. METHODS We begin with a simple text analysis of coronavirus-related articles and show that reports on similar outbreaks in the past strongly proposed similar control measures. This reaffirms the fact that these control measures are in order. Subsequently, we propose a simple performance statistic that quantifies general performance and performance under the different measures that were initiated. A density based clustering of based on performance statistic was carried out to group countries based on performance. RESULTS The performance statistic helps evaluate quantitatively the impact of COVID-19 control measures. Countries tend show variability in performance under different control measures. The performance statistic has negative correlation with cases of death which is a useful characteristics for COVID-19 control measure performance analysis. A web-based time-line visualization that enables comparison of performances and cases across continents and subregions is presented. CONCLUSIONS The performance metric is relevant for the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 control measures. This can help caregivers and policymakers identify effective control measures and reduce cases of death due to COVID-19. The interactive web visualizer provides easily digested and quick feedback to augment decision-making processes in the COVID-19 response measures evaluation. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable

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COVID-19 impact on cultural and natural Pan-European thematic routes

Ekonomika preduzeca ◽

10.5937/ekopre2106357k ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 69 (6-7) ◽

pp. 357-368

Author(s):

Igor Kovačević ◽

Aleksandra Bradić-Martinović ◽

Goran Petković

Keyword(s):

Operating Time ◽

Government Support ◽

Control Measures ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Minimal Impact ◽

Case Study Analysis ◽

Utility Cost ◽

The Impact ◽

Market Restructuring

Although the definitive effect is not measurable yet, it is evident that the hospitality and tourism sectors have endured the greatest pressure in the coronavirus pandemic crisis. This paper presents the analysis of the impact of the crisis on the thematic tourism routes. The emphasis is placed on investigating the impacts on market structure and seasonality, being the external dimensions, and on employment and cost-controlled measures as instruments of the internal management dimension. The case study analysis employed is based on the empirical examples of Pan-European thematic routes titled "Roman Emperors & Danube Wine Route" (RER & DWR) and "Via Dinarica Route" (VDR). The paper also discusses models of various scenarios for business recovery and further development. The findings show that COVID-19 has had a minimal impact of -2% on employment in the thematic routes and that massive cost control measures have been predominantly aimed at fixed operational costs. Thematic routes have experienced a decrease in operating time of up to 50%, and at the same time are undergoing market restructuring, with domestic and regional guests being the leading segments. Research further shows that the most needed form of government support through crisis mitigation measures is destination promotion support, followed by wage support and utility cost reduction.

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Pharmaceuticals and personal care products’ (PPCPs) impact on enriched nitrifying cultures

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-14696-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carla Lopez ◽

Mac-Anthony Nnorom ◽

Yiu Fai Tsang ◽

Charles W. Knapp

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Personal Care Products ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Nitrifying Bacteria ◽

Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria ◽

Personal Care ◽

Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria ◽

Inhibition Of Nitrification ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe impact of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) on the performance of biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has been widely studied using whole-community approaches. These contaminants affect the capacity of microbial communities to transform nutrients; however, most have neither honed their examination on the nitrifying communities directly nor considered the impact on individual populations. In this study, six PPCPs commonly found in WWTPs, including a stimulant (caffeine), an antimicrobial agent (triclosan), an insect repellent ingredient (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)) and antibiotics (ampicillin, colistin and ofloxacin), were selected to assess their short-term toxic effect on enriched nitrifying cultures: Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrobacter sp. The results showed that triclosan exhibited the greatest inhibition on nitrification with EC50 of 89.1 μg L−1. From the selected antibiotics, colistin significantly affected the overall nitrification with the lowest EC50 of 1 mg L−1, and a more pronounced inhibitory effect on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) compared to nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The EC50 of ampicillin and ofloxacin was 23.7 and 12.7 mg L−1, respectively. Additionally, experimental data suggested that nitrifying bacteria were insensitive to the presence of caffeine. In the case of DEET, moderate inhibition of nitrification (<40%) was observed at 10 mg L−1. These findings contribute to the understanding of the response of nitrifying communities in presence of PPCPs, which play an essential role in biological nitrification in WWTPs. Knowing specific community responses helps develop mitigation measures to improve system resilience.

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Regular universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection may not allow reopening of society after controlling a pandemic wave

10.1101/2020.11.18.20233122 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MCJ Bootsma ◽

ME Kretzschmar ◽

G Rozhnova ◽

JAP Heesterbeek ◽

JAJW Kluytmans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproduction Number ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Test Method ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sensitivity Testing ◽

Test Sensitivity ◽

Lower Test ◽

The Impact ◽

Pandemic Wave ◽

Random Screening

AbstractBackgroundTo limit societal and economic costs of lockdown measures, public health strategies are needed that control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and simultaneously allow lifting of disruptive measures. Regular universal random screening of large proportions of the population regardless of symptoms has been proposed as a possible control strategy.MethodsWe developed a mathematical model that includes test sensitivity depending on infectiousness for PCR-based and antigen-based tests, and different levels of onward transmission for testing and non-testing parts of the population. Only testing individuals participate in high-risk transmission events, allowing more transmission in case of unnoticed infection. We calculated the required testing interval and coverage to bring the effective reproduction number due to universal random testing (Rrt) below 1, for different scenarios of risk behavior of testing and non-testing individuals.FindingsWith R0 = 2.5, lifting all control measures for tested subjects with negative test results would require 100% of the population being tested every three days with a rapid test method with similar sensitivity as PCR-based tests. With remaining measures in place reflecting Re = 1.3, 80% of the population would need to be tested once a week to bring Rrt below 1. With lower proportions tested and with lower test sensitivity, testing frequency should increase further to bring Rrt below 1. With similar Re values for tested and non-tested subjects, and with tested subjects not allowed to engage in higher risk events, at least 80% of the populations needs to test every five days to bring Rrt below. The impact of the test-sensitivity on the reproduction number is far less than the frequency of testing.InterpretationRegular universal random screening followed by isolation of infectious individuals is not a viable strategy to reopen society after controlling a pandemic wave of SARS-CoV-2. More targeted screening approaches are needed to better use rapid testing such that it can effectively complement other control measures.FundingRECOVER (H2020-101003589) (MJMB), ZonMw project 10430022010001 (MK, HH), FCT project 131_596787873 (GR). ZonMw project 91216062 (MK)

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Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Impact Enriched Nitrifying Cultures

10.21203/rs.3.rs-417493/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carla Lopez ◽

Mac-Anthony Nnorom ◽

Yiu Fai Tsang ◽

Charles W Knapp

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Personal Care Products ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Nitrifying Bacteria ◽

Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria ◽

Personal Care ◽

Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria ◽

Inhibition Of Nitrification ◽

The Impact

Abstract The impact of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) on the performance of biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has been widely studied using whole-community approaches. These contaminants affect the capacity of microbial communities to transform nutrients; however, most have neither honed their examination on the nitrifying communities directly nor considered the impact on individual populations. In this study, six PPCPs commonly found in WWTPs, including a stimulant (caffeine), an antimicrobial agent (triclosan), an insect repellent ingredient (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)), and antibiotics (ampicillin, colistin, and ofloxacin), were selected to assess their short-term toxic effect on enriched nitrifying cultures: Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrobacter sp. The results showed that triclosan exhibited the greatest inhibition on nitrification with EC50 of 89.1 µg L− 1. From the selected antibiotics, colistin significantly affected the overall nitrification with the lowest EC50 of 1 mg L− 1, and a more pronounced inhibitory effect on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) compared to nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The EC50 of ampicillin and ofloxacin were 22 and 12.7 mg L− 1, respectively. Additionally, experimental data suggested that nitrifying bacteria were insensitive to the presence of caffeine. In the case of DEET, moderate inhibition of nitrification (< 40%) was observed at the highest concentration tested. These findings contribute to the understanding of the response of nitrifying communities in presence of PPCPs, which play an essential role in biological nitrification in WWTPs. Knowing specific community responses helps develop mitigation measures to improve system resilience.

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Spatiotemporal Change of Air-Quality Patterns in Hubei Province—A Pre- to Post-COVID-19 Analysis Using Path Analysis and Regression

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12101338 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1338

Author(s):

Muhammad Aamir ◽

Zeyun Li ◽

Sibghatullah Bazai ◽

Raja Asif Wagan ◽

Uzair Aslam Bhatti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Path Analysis ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Control Measures ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact

Mitigation measures and control strategies relating to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been widely applied in many countries to reduce the transmission of this pandemic disease. China was the first country to implement a strong lockdown policy to control COVID-19 when countries worldwide were struggling to manage COVID-19 cases. However, lockdown causes numerous changes to air-quality patterns due to the low amount of traffic and the decreased human mobility it results in. To study the impact of the strict control measures of the new COVID-19 epidemic on the air quality of Hubei in early 2020, the air-quality monitoring data of Hubei’s four cities, namely Huangshi, Yichang, Jingzhou, and Wuhan, from 2019 to 2021, specifically 1 January to 30 August, was examined to analyze the characteristics of the temporal and spatial distribution. All air-quality pollutants decreased during the active-COVID-19 period, with a maximum decrease of 26% observed in PM10, followed by 23% of PM2.5, and a minimum decrease of 5% observed in O3. Changes in air pollutants from 2017 to 2021 were also compared, and a decrease in all pollutants through to 2020 was found. The air-quality index (AQI) recorded an increase of 2% post-COVID-19, which shows that air quality will worsen in future, but it decreased by 22% during the active-COVID-19 period. A path analysis model was developed to further understand the relationship between the AQI and air-quality patterns. This path analysis shows a strong correlation between the AQI and PM10 and PM2.5, however its correlation with other air pollutants is weak. Regression analysis shows a similar pattern of there being a strong relationship between AQI and PM10 (r2 = 0.97) and PM2.5 (r2 = 0.93). Although the COVID-19 pandemic had numerous negative effects on human health and the global economy, it is likely that the reduction in air pollution and the significant improvement in ambient air quality due to lockdowns provided substantial short-term health benefits. The government must implement policies to control the environmental issues which are causing poor air quality in post-COVID-19.

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Impact Assessment of the Wastewater Treatment Plants’ Discharges on Maritsa River

International Journal Bioautomation ◽

10.7546/ijba.2021.25.2.000823 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 169-182

Author(s):

Tony Venelinov ◽

◽

Galina Yotova ◽

Veronika Mihaylova ◽

Svetlana Lazarova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Surface Water ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Sampling Point ◽

Before And After ◽

Wastewater Samples ◽

The Impact

Data analysis of wastewater samples at the outlets of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and Svilengrad, which discharge into the Maritsa River is presented. Total monthly loads for 2017 at the outlets are calculated using the monthly averages for the concentrations of chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus and total nitrogen (TN) and the monthly averages for the flow rates. The contributions of the WWTPs to the total river loads emphasize that the impact of WWTPs of Pazardzhik and Plovdiv is significantly greater than WWTP of Svilengrad. Additionally, river water samples were collected before and after the discharge points of the WWTPs in August 2018 and analyzed for water quality parameters listed in Directive 75/440/EEC. Comparison between the river concentrations before the outlet of WWPT - Pazardzhik and after the last sampling point (the outlet of WWTP - Svilengrad) indicates an increase for all the studied parameters, except for Al and Cu. Based on the results obtained for TN, the category of the surface water is significantly deteriorated after discharge of the WWTP - Plovdiv. Wastewater effect on the river surface water is also estimated by using a battery of ecotoxicological tests. The results are presented and compared by the classical approach using categorization based on water quality indicators.

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Modelling the impact of control measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in Viet Nam

10.1101/2020.04.24.20078030 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Thu-Anh Nguyen ◽

Quoc Nguyen Cuong ◽

Anh Le Thi Kim ◽

Huyen Nguyen Nguyen ◽

Thao Nguyen Thi Huong

Keyword(s):

Health Resources ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Control Measures ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Viet Nam ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Community Transmission ◽

The Impact ◽

Modelling Methods ◽

Intervention Scenario

AbstractObjectivesHealth care system of many countries are facing a surging burden of COVID-19. Although Vietnam has successfully controlled the COVID-19 pandemic to date, there is a sign of initial community transmission. An estimate of possible scenarios to prepare health resources in the future is needed. We used modelling methods to estimate impacts of mitigation measures on the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.MethodsSEIR model built in the COVIDSIM1.1 tool was adopted using available data for estimation. The herd immunization scenario was with no intervention implemented. Other scenarios consisted of isolation and social distancing at different levels (25%, 50%, 75% and 10%, 20%, 30%, respectively). Outcomes include epidemic apex, daily new and cumulative cases, deaths, hospitalized patients and ICU beds needed.ResultsBy April 8, 2020, there would be 465 infected cases with COVID-19 in Viet Nam, of those 50% were detected. Cumulatively, there would be 1,400 cases and 30 deaths by end of 2020, if 75% of cases was detected and isolated, and 30% of social distancing could be maintained.The most effective intervention scenario is the detection and isolation of 75% infected cases and reduction of 10% social contacts. This will require an expansion of testing capacity at health facilities and in the community, posing a challenge to identify high-risk groups to prioritized testing.ConclusionsIn a localized epidemic setting, the expansion of testing should be the key measure to control the epidemic. Social distancing plays a significant role to prevent further transmission to the community.

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Home Range in a Suburban City in the Osaka Metropolitan Area

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13168974 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (16) ◽

pp. 8974

Author(s):

Haruka Kato ◽

Atsushi Takizawa ◽

Daisuke Matsushita

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Metropolitan Area ◽

Central Government ◽

Control Measures ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Neighborhood Scale ◽

The Impact

This study aims to clarify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on home range. The home range is the area that individuals traverse in conducting their daily activities, such as working and shopping. In Japan, the central government declared the first state of emergency in April 2020. This study analyzed the panel data for mobile phone GPS location history from April 2019 to April 2020 in Ibaraki City, Osaka Metropolitan area. The study applied the minimum convex polygon method to analyze the data. The results show that the home range decreased significantly between April 2019 and April 2020. Specifically, the home range in 2020 decreased to approximately 50% of that in 2019 because of COVID-19 infection control measures, preventing people from traveling far from their homes and only allowing them to step outside for the bare minimum of daily activities and necessities. The results suggest that the emergency reduced people’s home ranges to the neighborhood scale. Therefore, it is necessary to consider designing new walkable neighborhood environments after the COVID-19 pandemic era.

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The methodological approach for the determination of the pressure of artificial raindrops as a question of the theory of splash soil erosion

Melioration and Water Management ◽

10.32962/0235-2524-2019-1-24-28 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 24-28

Author(s):

Mihail Zver'kov

Keyword(s):

Block Diagram ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Control Measures ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Effective Pressure ◽

Long Distance ◽

Splash Erosion ◽

Rain Drops ◽

Artificial Rain ◽

The Impact

To the article the results of the theoretical and experimental researches are given on questions of estimates of the dynamic rate effect of raindrop impact on soil. The aim of this work was to analyze the current methods to determine the rate of artificial rain pressure on the soil for the assessment of splash erosion. There are the developed author’s method for calculation the pressure of artificial rain on the soil and the assessment of splash erosion. The study aims to the justification of evaluation methods and the obtaining of quantitative characteristics, prevention and elimination of accelerated (anthropogenic) erosion, the creation and the realization of the required erosion control measures. The paper considers the question of determining the pressure of artificial rain on the soil. At the moment of raindrops impact, there is the tension in the soil, which is called vertical effective pressure. It is noted that the impact of rain drops in the soil there are stresses called vertical effective pressure. The equation for calculation of vertical effective pressure is proposed in this study using the known spectrum of raindrops. Effective pressure was 1.4 Pa for the artificial rain by sprinkler machine «Fregat» and 5.9 Pa for long distance sprinkler DD-30. The article deals with a block diagram of the sequence for determining the effective pressure of rain drops on the soil. This diagram was created by the author’s method of calculation of the effective pressure of rain drops on the soil. The need for an integrated approach to the description of the artificial rain impact on the soil is noted. Various parameters characterizing drop erosion are considered. There are data about the mass of splashed soil in the irrigation of various irrigation machinery and installations. For example, the rate (mass) of splashed soil was 0.28…0.78 t/ha under irrigation sprinkler apparatus RACO 4260–55/701C in the conditions of the Ryazan region. The method allows examining the environmental impact of sprinkler techniques for analyzes of the pressure, caused by raindrops, on the soil. It can also be useful in determining the irrigation rate before the runoff for different types of sprinkler equipment and soil conditions.

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