Аннотация: In order to more effectively combat the coronavirus pandemic the authors propose a system for daily analysis of residential wastewater at points of discharge from buildings. Results of testing should be used for the implementation of local quarantines as well as informed administration of tests for individuals.
Regular residential wastewater monitoring to locate emerging disease hotspots prior to onset of
clinical symptoms during pandemics including COVID-19
Mikhail L. Gershteyn, Arkady Gershteyn*, Iosif M. Gershteyn, Michael Ezrokhi, Ph.D.
Abstract
In order to more effectively combat the coronavirus pandemic the authors propose a system for daily
analysis of residential wastewater at points of discharge from buildings. Results of testing should be
used for the implementation of local quarantines as well as informed administration of tests for
individuals.
Background
Large-scale quarantines are considered by many to be an effective tool in the arsenal of interventions
combating the Coronavirus, however, such measures come at great cost both financially and
psychologically to the affected populations. Moreover, as the duration of large-scale quarantine efforts
increase so do the costs, often exponentially, as well as the second order effects thereof (including access
to routine and emergency healthcare).
Administratively, the challenge of large-scale quarantines is also great. Without enforcement
mechanisms, human movement restrictions may often be violated, which compounds the problem of
coordinating enforcement resources (police and military personnel) at a time when resources are often
thinly allocated as is. Absent enforcement the efficacy of quarantines can be severely impaired.
Local quarantines, however, simplify the administration of such measures by directing enforcement to
areas where there is high prevalence, and can be specified on a house-by-house basis and would allow for
individuals to adjust their behavior based on informed local risk. Furthermore, local quarantines do not
harm the economy nearly to the same extent and allow for mostly undisturbed continuation of vital
systems and infrastructure within a nation. The combination thereof could be both better at containing
the spread and mitigating the impact.
Moreover, infected individuals shed the viral particles before the onset of clinical symptoms