Saskatoon COVID-19: Viral levels in wastewater lowest since January
The signs of COVID-19 are at their lowest levels in Saskatoon's wastewater since January.
That's according to the University of Saskatchewan research team that has been monitoring the city's wastewater throughout the pandemic.
The latest numbers released by the researchers show a nearly 51 per cent decrease over the most recent reporting period, which ended June 22, compared to the previous reporting period.
The levels in Prince Albert and North Battleford showed a drop as well and are "at levels near (the) limit of detection," according to John Giesy, a member of the research team.
Prince Albert saw an almost 83 per cent drop over its most recent reporting period, which ended on June 20.
North Battleford's level decreased around 81 per cent. The reporting period ended on June 17.
PREPARING FOR BA.5
In his weekly emailed message to news media, Giesy said the researchers are tooling up to prepare for the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.
While vaccinations and boosters provide substantial protection against severe outcomes, early data shows the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants may escape antibody responses.
"At this time, BA.5 is taking off in the U.K. so we will learn whether it is more infectious or causes more severe illness," Giesy said.
"The information so far is that it can evade immunity either from vaccination or previous infections. So more people are likely to be reinfected."
He said the subvariant is already being found in clinical samples in Saskatchewan.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is anticipating a BA.5 outbreak south of the border this fall," Giesy said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.