Wastewater Variant Data

One way COVID-19 variants are tracked is through analyzing data from patients who test positive for COVID-19 in clinical settings. We can also estimate the levels of different variants from our wastewater testing data. This gives a view of variants among all people who are infected, including those who do not get a clinical test.  Select wastewater samples with positive SARS-CoV-2 results are genetically sequenced to identify variants, or lineages, and to estimate the relative proportions of those lineages. The results of this variant analysis are shown below. These dashboards will be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays with the most recent available data from each facility.

 

For a more detailed explanation of variants, please see the Clinical Variant Data page. View the Wastewater Surveillance Methodological Notes for more information about how these data are reported. Learn more here about wastewater surveillance in New York State.

Genetic sequencing lineage data note: Samples are only sequenced if SARS-CoV-2 is detected- samples without a detection will show up as “No SARS-CoV-2 detected in sample” on the lineage map. The date range for sequencing data is different than for quantification data because sequencing of viral genomes from wastewater happens at separate laboratories. The most recent data for sequencing are shown for each site.

 

What is the difference between the detailed and the simplified variant data? The detailed variant data chart is aligned with lineages included on the CDC Nowcast, while the simplified data is aligned with the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) categorizations on the clinical variant data page. GISAID data is grouped into broader categories in order to better understand more general variant trends.