Health department: wastewater testing shows low but rising COVID, flu and RSV levels

The county's health department representative explained Sept. 17 that wastewater testing conducted through an Illinois Department of Public Health program shows low levels of COVID‑19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in August, but that local hospitals are reporting some increases. "The state, the Illinois Department of Public Health has a program which ... is tested regularly to determine ... remnants of these viruses shed through our waste into the sewer systems," John Beavis said. He told the committee the tests help the county identify trends now that home test results are not routinely reported. Beavis said monitoring wastewater allows the health department to check with hospitals and interpret virus activity in the community, and to use a simple alert framework — for example, green, yellow or red — to guide public information. He said the department's August report showed low levels, but that he had "been hearing ... that we do we're starting to see some higher levels of COVID" from hospital conversations. Committee members asked technical questions about which lab does the testing; one member noted the county's wastewater treatment facility performs surveillance and offered a contact for more detail. No new public‑health orders or county directives were issued during the meeting. Beavis said the department would continue to monitor wastewater and hospital reports and would publish guidance or social‑media updates if levels warrant further action.