Updated: Slight Uptick in COVID-19 Wastewater Levels Since September High

Have you recently been aware of more people with COVID? While reports of COVID cases remain low across the nation, the presence of the virus in wastewater spiked in many states in late summer. The latest wastewater surveillance in Amherst exhibits the highest concentration of the virus since the spike in September which showed the highest concentration since 2022. No samples were taken in November due to a problem in the lab that processes the sample. According to Health Director Kiko Malin, the December 5 report indicates 742,207 copies of Sars-CoV-2 virus per liter of sewage, which is an increase, but does not indicate a substantial presence of the virus. A substantial risk is over one million copies per liter of sewage as was the case in September. “We will continue to monitor the levels of the virus, because we expect them to increase over the winter months,” Malin said.

Read: Town Public Health Update on COVID-19 and Respiratory Illness (12/20)

The Amherst Health Department has free COVID-19 test kits to distribute at the Bangs Center. Although positive tests do not need to be reported, the CDC recommends that anyone with a respiratory illness should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and symptoms are improving. Once they no longer feel ill and any remaining symptoms, such as cough or runny nose are mild, they may resume daily activities. Following a positive test, it is recommended to use caution for five days and wear a mask, and practice social distancing, especially if around people who are vulnerable to infection.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued new guidance for the Commonwealth based on the updated CDC recommendations. They are summarized here:

• Get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19
• If you are ill with a respiratory infection:
  • Stay home and stay away from others in your household
  • If you must be around others, wear a mask
  • Get tested for flu and COVID-19 so you can get treated if indicated
  • You may begin to resume normal activities once you are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours and your symptoms are improving.
  • For the first five days after you resume normal activities, wear a mask anytime you are indoors or around other people and avoid spending time with anyone who is at increased risk for severe disease
  • If your fever returns or any other symptoms get worse, you should go back home until you are better again
• Use hand and respiratory hygiene both when sick and as a general practice to stay healthy.
• Other general prevention practices include the following:
  • Wearing a mask around others if you are feeling ill or are not quite recovered from a respiratory illness
  • Avoiding crowded areas and maintaining physical distance
  • Increasing fresh air

Vaccination is still the best form of protection against COVID infection and against long COVID. A recent study showed that the more vaccines you get, the less likely you are to get long COVID. The CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with their vaccinations, including getting the latest updated vaccine. They are no longer considered “boosters” but rather yearly vaccinations like the flu shot.

If you received your last COVID booster before September 12, 2023, you are now eligible for the current updated vaccine, which has been shown to offer good protection against the current new variants. 

• Flu and COVID vaccines are widely available in our community through primary care providers or at pharmacies. Amherst is part of the Hampshire Public Health Shared Services Collaborative which means Amherst residents can receive vaccines through free clinics organized through the Collaborative.  Click here  for an updated list of local clinics with information on how to register.
• If you are uninsured or under-insured you can get a COVID or Flu vaccine at the Amherst Public Health Department. Stop by and learn more or give us a call at 413-259-3077.
• The Amherst Public Health Department offersfree at-home covid test kits. Please stop by our office at the Bangs Community Center First Floor to retrieve your test kit. We are open on weekdays 9 AM- 4PM. 

Even though COVID and flu cases and hospitalizations are stabilizing, there are still other forms of respiratory illness that are circulating in the community. It’s best to follow the prevention practice guidelines outlined above for any form of respiratory illness, especially if you are around people who have compromised immune systems and may be more vulnerable to infection.

Please reach out to the Public Health Department with any questions about COVID and other respiratory illnesses. You can email us at publichealth@amherstma.gov or call 413 259 3077.