A poster titled “COVID-19 Early Detection Timeline Using Wastewater Surveillance” from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The poster shows a timeline of how wastewater surveillance can be used to detect COVID-19 outbreaks early, before people start showing symptoms.

The timeline is as follows:

Day 1: People within a wastewater treatment catchment, or facility such as an aged care home, are exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
Day 2-3: Infected people begin shedding the virus in faeces, whether or not they show symptoms such as fever or a cough.
Day 3-4: Samples are collected for analysis from wastewater entering pipe networks, pumping stations or wastewater treatment plants.
Day 4: The wastewater sample is concentrated. Fragments of the virus’s genetic code are then extracted and genetically analysed.
Day 4-6: Genetic fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 are found in the faeces of infected people.
Day 5-14: Detection and quantification of the virus genetic materials are reported to public health officials to support early intervention measures.
Day 5-14: People who begin to show symptoms undergo a clinical nasal swab test.
The poster also includes the following text:

Wastewater surveillance can be used to detect COVID-19 outbreaks early, before people start showing symptoms.
This allows public health officials to take early action to prevent the spread of the virus, such as increasing testing and contact tracing in affected areas.
Wastewater surveillance is a valuable tool for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.