RESUMO
Background: The World Health Organization declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2023, three years after the adoption of global emergency measures. Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage underscores its importance due to its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, highlighting the need to prioritize research on water resources and sanitation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in the sewage system of a higher education institution located in Vitória Espírito Santo State, Maruípe campus. Methods: Over a period of 66 days, from February 6 to April 12, 2023, 15 samples were collected. Each sample consisted of 1 L, collected in 1 hour, with 250 mL collected every 15 minutes. The samples were characterized by assessing their appearance, and pH was measured using a Horiba U-50 multiparameter probe. The extracted RNA was subjected to RT-qPCR using the Allplex™ 2019-nCovAssay Seegene kit. Results: The samples exhibited a cloudy appearance with impurities, and the pH ranged from 6.35 to 8.17. Among the evaluated samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in two, and, by comparing this with the epidemiological bulletin issued by the State Health Department, an increase in cases in the state was observed during the collection period of these samples. Conclusions: Sewage monitoring proved to be an important tool in this post-pandemic period, serving as an alert and prevention mechanism for the population in relation to new outbreaks. Furthermore, it represents a low-cost mapping strategy and extensive testing of a population, aligning with the studies presented at the beginning of the pandemic. We recommend specific adjustments considering distinct populations.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Esgotos , Esgotos/virologia , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , RNA Viral/análise , UniversidadesRESUMO
Nesta pesquisa, quantificam-se e classificam-se, conforme a Resolução RDC ANVISA nº 306/2004, os Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde do Grupo A, gerados em seis hospitais de Vitória (ES), Brasil. Os resíduos acondicionados sem segregação foram separados por grupos e subgrupos, resultando em: 57% do Grupo D - comum; 41% do Grupo A - risco biológico; 1,5% do Grupo B - risco químico e 0,05% do Grupo E - perfuro-cortantes. O peso específico aparente foi de 106,2 kg.m-3 e a taxa média de geração de resíduos foi 2,68 kg.(leito.ocupado.dia)-1. Ao se segregar os resíduos do Grupo D, a taxa de geração do Grupo A passou a ser 1,15 kg.(leito.ocupado.dia)-1, resultando em 58% de redução nos custos com incineração. Com a segregação dos Grupos B, D, E e do subgrupo A4, a taxa de geração passou a ser 0,18 kg.(leito.ocupado.dia)-1, com uma redução nos custos com incineração de 93%.
In this research the Health Care Waste of Group A (Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde - RSS), collected from six hospitals in Vitoria (ES), Brazil, was quantified and classified according with ANVISA's Resolution RDC nº 306/2004. The waste was packaged without segregation and afterwards separated by groups and subgroups, with the following results/percentages: 57% Group D - common; 41% Group A - biological risk; 1.5% Group B - chemical risk; and 0.05% Group E - sharps. The apparent bulk density was 106.2 kg/m3. The average production rate of this mixture was 2.68 kg per occupied bed daily. By separating the mixture of the RSS from group D, the average production rate of Group A changed to 1.15 kg per occupied bed daily, reducing incineration costs by 58%. By segregating Groups B, D, E and subgroup A4, the average production rate changed to 0.18 kg per occupied bed per day with a reduction of 93% in incineration costs.