FERNDALE, Wash. — A local company is testing sewage to better understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in Whatcom County.
Exact Scientific Services has been testing the City of Lynden’s wastewater since June, analyzing samples for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
CEO Kent Oostra says it’s an early indicator, showing up in wastewater three to ten days before you see the cases in the community.
He says they can determine if infections are rising or falling by the amount of virus they find and the data can help the community steer health policy.