Timeline of COVID-19 Pandemic and Wastewater Surveillance in Houston
Since May 2020, the Houston Wastewater Epidemiology initiative has been working to identify and track SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and viruses that cause influenza and RSV. We are also working to expand the comprehensive wastewater monitoring system to target mpox, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and other pathogens.
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, public interest in global health has grown substantially. To foster awareness and discussions about public health issues and to provide access to accurate information, the Houston Wastewater Epidemiology initiative has been part of several city press conferences, expert briefings and webcasts. The following is a representative list of media coverage.
- 2023 News
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Loren Hopkins, Lauren Stadler and Katherine B. Ensor
Houston Chronicle, Opinion // Outlook
September 19, 2023Wastewater researchers: Houston COVID levels are high. Take care.
Haley Hernandez, Health Reporter
KPRC Click2 Houston
September 11, 2023Increase in COVID found in Houston's wastewater
https://www.click2houston.com/video/news/2023/09/11/increase-in-covid-found-in-houstons-wastewater/
Idolina Peralez
CW39 KIAH Houston
September 6, 2023New COVID-19 variant arrives in Texas
https://cw39.com/news/health/new-covid-19-arrives-in-texas/
Mayra Moreno
KTRK Channel 13
September 4, 2023Thinking of getting the COVID booster? Why experts say you should wait for the updated one this fall
COVID-19 cases are rising, and doctors are asking people to take the necessary precautions as the COVID booster should be available soon this fall.
https://abc13.com/amp/covid-19--booster-covid-19-cases-shot-herd-immunity/13736052/
Julian Gill, Staff writer
Houston Chronicle
Aug 1, 2023COVID infections rise in Houston for fourth summer in a row, threatening vulnerable residents
Wastewater data shows an increasing viral load over the last several weeks, and hospitals are reporting more positive tests.
Jackie Flynn Mogensen
July + August 2023 Issue
Mother JonesThe Secret to Preventing the Next Pandemic Might Be in Our Poop
Covid revealed a powerful tool in fighting outbreaks: wastewater surveillance.
The Rockefeller Foundation
May 24, 2023Wastewater surveillance: Vital for an outbreak early-warning system
A roundup features the report Wastewater-based Disease Surveillance for Public Health Action co-authored by experts at Rice.
Emily Anthes
May 11, 2023
New York TimesAs Covid Emergency Ends, Surveillance Shifts to the Sewers
With other virus tracking efforts winding down, wastewater data is likely to become increasingly important in the months ahead, scientists say.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/11/health/covid-sewage-wastewater-data.html
Rebecca Noel
March 2, 2023
Houston Public Media
(This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston and appeared in 12 other media outlets.)Wastewater monitoring effective in detecting viral outbreaks at schools, study shows
An article features a collaborative Rice study that found wastewater-based monitoring is an effective way to detect viral outbreaks in schools. Co-authors quoted include Lauren Stadler, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering; Loren Hopkins, professor in the practice of statistics; and Katherine Ensor, Noah G. Harding Professor of Statistics.
Newswise
March 1, 2023Wastewater study monitors Houston schools for viral threats
System offers potent tool for detecting illness outbreaks
An article features a collaborative Rice study that found wastewater-based monitoring is an effective way to detect viral outbreaks in schools. Co-authors quoted or mentioned include Lauren Stadler, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, Kathy Ensor, the Noah G. Harding Professor of Statistics and director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research's Urban Data Platform, Loren Hopkins, professor in the practice of statistics, and graduate student Thomas Sun.
MJHNews.com
January 19, 2023Daylong wastewater samples yield surprises
An article features collaborative Rice research that found composite samples taken over 24 hours at wastewater plants provide more accurate levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in the water than snapshots collected when flow is at a minimum. Co-author Lauren Stadler, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
https://mjhnews.com/daylong-wastewater-samples-yield-surprises/
Lauren Talarico
KHOU Channel 11
January 18, 20231 out of 5 people testing positive for COVID in Houston, experts say
Houston’s COVID wastewater testing confirms what health officials predicted would happen after the holidays -- another COVID-19 wave.
The Houston Health Department reports an average 20% percent positivity rate for Houston.
Faith Bugenhagen
Houston Press
January 13, 2023
A New Omicron Variant Poses a Threat With Already Growing COVID-19 Cases in HoustonA new dominant variant of COVID-19 in the Northeast leaves Houston bracing for impact and the possibility of a third brutal winter wave reminiscent of those in 2021 and 2022.
Haley Hernandez, Health Reporter
KPRC Click2 Houston
January 10, 2023COVID numbers are rising but hospitalizations not running parallel like past spikes
The TMC COVID numbers show cases are on the rise.
The latest numbers available show that the positivity rate was recently higher than 11%. The real concern comes with the wastewater, the viral load has more than doubled in the past couple of weeks and is now 999% above what it was in July 2020.
- 2022 News
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Sofia Gonzalez
KTRK Channel 13
Friday, August 5, 2022City of Houston to utilize wastewater testing to monitor monkeypox level in community
The city of Houston will soon begin monitoring its wastewater system for monkeypox, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced during an Aug. 3 press conference.
https://abc13.com/monkeypox-virus-wastewater-covid-19-community/12102946/
Nora Mishanec, Staff writer
Houston Chronicle
August 4, 2022Houston to begin monitoring monkeypox case levels through wastewater
Houston will begin monitoring its wastewater for monkeypox in late August as cases of the blister-causing contagion continue to climb, health officials said.
Briana Zamora-Nipper
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 Houston
August 3, 2022Houston Health Department earns CDC designation as Center of Excellence for wastewater epidemiology
The Houston Health Department announced Wednesday it is now recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence.
The department and Rice University began testing the city’s wastewater in May 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sammy Turner
KHOU Channel 11
August 3, 2022The Houston Health Department is expected to start wastewater testing for the monkeypox virus in the coming weeks, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced.
The announcement comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized HHD as a national center of excellence for its wastewater testing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
KTMD Telemundo Houston
August 3, 2022Rastrearán presencia de la viruela del mono en aguas residuales de Houston
La ciudad de Houston comenzará a monitorear las aguas residuales para rastrear la posible presencia del virus del mono.
El anuncio fue hecho justo cuando los CDC reconocieron al departamento como centro de excelencia nacional en el monitoreo y pruebas hechas en el drenaje para detectar el virus del covid-19, en colaboración con la Universidad Rice.
Marin Wolf
Dallas Morning News
Aug 2, 2022To avert a COVID crisis, Dallas must test more poop, experts say
To combat increasingly inaccurate case counts, cities are turning to systems that don’t require people to report their own tests, such as wastewater testing
Univision 45 KXLN-TV
July 11, 2022La carga viral de covid-19 aumenta un 843% en las aguas residuales del área de Houston, advierte el alcalde
El Departamento de Salud explicó que la carga viral es 843% más alta que una marca máxima anterior establecida el 6 de julio de 2020. La tasa de positividad de 14 días es de 29,2, ligeramente superior a la de la semana pasada.
https://www.univision.com/local/houston-kxln/carga-viral-covid-19-aguas-residuales-houston
Marcelino Benito
KHOU Channel 11
July 6, 2022New COVID-19 wave: Houston wastewater shows spike, experts warn case counts likely much higher
The positivity rate is inching closer to 30% but experts said those numbers don't tell the full story of how much of the virus is circulating in the Houston area.
COVID-19 wastewater levels continue to peak at new highs. The positivity rate is inching back closer to 30% but experts said those numbers don't tell the full story of how much of the virus is circulating in the Houston area right now.
"This is as significant a wave as the omicron wave," Dr. Peter Hotez said.
Michael Murney
Houston Chronicle
July 5, 2022COVID-19 viral load up 630 percent in Houston-area wastewater
The spike in coronavirus prevalence in Greater Houston’s wastewater treatment facilities comes as Harris County surpasses 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases.
KTMD Telemundo Houston
June 22, 2022Casos de COVID-19 vuelven al alza en Houston
Las aguas residuales muestran una fuerte tendencia al alza. Los casos graves aún permanecen a la baja.
Michael Murney
Houston Chronicle
June 14, 2022COVID viral load up 500 percent in Houston-area wastewater
The amount of coronavirus in Houston wastewater—a measure of the virus' presence in the community—is up significantly compared to its 2020 peak.
KTMD Telemundo Houston
June 14, 2022Tasa de positividad de Covid-19 aumenta al 21.1% en Houston
Mientras que la carga viral en aguas residuales aumentó a 502% en el área metropolitana de Houston.
Julian Gill, Staff writer
Houston Chronicle
June 13, 2022New omicron subvariants could fuel rise in Houston COVID cases, experts say
The online article mentions Houston’s wastewater analysis efforts. All but four of the 39 city wastewater treatment plants are seeing an increasing viral load, according to Houston wastewater samples collected and analyzed on June 6.
Courtney Carpenter
KTRK Channel 13
June 9, 2022When will COVID-19 start to fade away? Experts say Houston is in the midst of another surge
Television broadcast mentions Houston’s wastewater analysis efforts and dashboard. https://abc13.com/covid-19-coronavirus-when-will-end-houston-fights/11943007
Nora Mishanec, Staff Writer
Houston Chronicle
May 31, 2022
Houston's COVID cases are climbing again, wastewater data shows
COVID-19 cases are once again climbing, according to data collected by Rice University and the Houston Health Department. The most recent sewage samples show increased viral loads of the omicron subvariants at all but a few of the city’s three dozen wastewater treatment plants. Online article mentions the Stadler Lab at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering. Lauren Stadler is an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. Dr. Erika Brown of the Harris County Health Department is quoted.KHOU 11 Staff
May 30, 2022COVID numbers continue to rise in Houston, wastewater shows
The numbers are up compared to July 2020. The city's positivity rate is now at 11%, the wastewater is showing. Television broadcast and online news story mentions Houston’s wastewater analysis efforts and dashboard.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/wastewater-sample-covid-houston/285-acc4f906-e759-48a7-8e66-1805ec598a8fChaz Miller
KTRK Channel 13
May 30, 2022Houston wastewater indicating COVID cases rising ahead of summer
Television broadcast mentions Houston’s wastewater analysis efforts and dashboard. https://abc13.com/houston-wastewater-covid-strain-omicron/11909590/
Stephanie Whitfield
KHOU Channel 11
May 18, 2022COVID-19 numbers rising according to Houston wastewater testing
Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 have also been detected for the first time in Houston wastewater.
Television broadcast mentions Houston’s wastewater analysis efforts and dashboard. https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-numbers/may-2022-houston-wasterwater-covid-testing/285-a0df2f09-84da-4c57-ba33-a4eea16f286f
Katie Shepherd with Ariana Eunjung Cha
The Washington Post – Coronavirus Updates Newsletter
May 20, 2022Important developments in the pandemic.
Lauren Stadler, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University is quoted. Newsletter also links to an online article that mentions Houston Wastewater Epidemiology and quotes David Persse, the city’s chief medical officer.
Lena H. Sun and Dan Keating
The Washington Post
April 14, 2022To find out where the covid pandemic is headed, look here: The sewer
Online article that mentions Houston Wastewater Epidemiology and quotes David Persse, the city’s chief medical officer.
Brianna Abbott and Jon Kamp
Wall Street Journal
March 22, 2022Clues to Covid-19’s Next Moves Come From Sewers
Wastewater in parts of U.S. has yielded increasing concentrations of the virus, but the data can be murky
Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice with Rice University's Department of Statistics is quoted about the early detection of Omicron’s presence via wastewater before it confirmed a case in the city.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/clues-to-covid-19s-next-moves-come-from-sewers-11647941403
Emily Anthes and Sabrina Imbler
New York Times
Jan. 19, 2022In Sewage, Clues to Omicron’s Surge
The article describes Houston’s wastewater surveillance program, which has been in operation since summer 2020. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice with Rice University's Department of Statistics is quoted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/health/covid-omicron-wastewater-sewage.html
Hannah Buchdahl
CDC Foundation
March 2022Awash with Potential: Using Wastewater Surveillance to Shore Up Public Health
Online news article mentions Houston Wastewater Monitoring Project and efforts to work with epidemiologists at the Houston Health Department, monitors outbreaks at schools.
Stephanie Whitfield
KHOU Channel 11
January 5, 2022Wastewater COVID testing shows massive jump in presence of the virus
Article describes Houston's wastewater testing, which is showing a massive jump in how much of the COVID-19 virus is present.
KTMD Telemundo Houston
January 5, 2022Incremento de rastro de Covid-19 en aguas residuals
Transmisión de television detalles carga viral en aguas residuals.
https://www.telemundohouston.com/local/incremento-de-rastro-de-covid-19-en-aguas-residuales/2218381/
Stephanie Whitfield
KHOU Channel 11
January 4, 2022Houston Health Department now testing wastewater at schools for flu and COVID-19
Television broadcast about Houston’s wastewater analysis and why it is becoming the most accurate way to track the spread of the virus in the city. The Houston Health Department is looking for the influenza virus in wastewater too.
- 2021 News
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KTMD Telemundo Houston
December 30, 2021Carga viral en aguas residuales de Houston aumentó el 546%
Transmisión de television detalles carga viral en aguas residuals.
Haley Hernandez
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 Houston
December 29, 2021Houston wastewater indicates omicron is soaring as rapid tests deemed less reliable
Television broadcast reports about Houston’s wastewater surveillance program. Dr. David Persse, Houston Health Authority, is quoted.
KTRK Channel 13
December 29, 2021Latest samples show sharp increase in amount of COVID in Houston wastewater
Television broadcast reports the latest wastewater samples from the city of Houston are revealing how prevalent COVID-19 is in the community right now.
https://abc13.com/houston-wastewater-covid19-omicron-variant-what-is/11402441/
KTRK Channel 13
December 11, 2021More omicron cases in Houston are inevitable, city's health director says
Two cases of COVID-19 in Houston were confirmed to have been caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus, officials with the Houston Health Department announced Dec. 10. Houston's Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Persse is quoted.
https://abc13.com/omicron-houston-how-many-covid-cases-in-delta-variant-dr-david-persse/11322274/
Marin Wolf
Al Día Dallas
December 8, 2021Detectan variante ómicron en aguas residuales de Houston
Covid-19 puede aparecer en las heces de personas que padecen le enfermedad días antes de que haya síntomas.
Tiffany Justice
KRIV Fox26
December 7, 2021Chief Medical Officer for city of Houston talks Omicron variant discovery in wastewater
FOX 26 spoke with Dr. David Persse, Chief Medical Officer for the city of Houston about the new Covid-19 variant being detected in the city’s wastewater.
Univision 45 KXLN-TV
December 7, 2021Variante ómicron del coronavirus: Houston analiza sus aguas y así es como se realiza el proceso
Transmisión de television detalles la nueva variante del covid-19 se detectó en ocho de las 39 plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en el área de Houston.
KTMD Telemundo Houston
December 7, 2021Vecindarios con variante Ómicron en aguas residuales
Transmisión de television detalles la presencia de Ómicron da positivo en 8 plantas de tratamiento de agua en Houston.
KHOU 11 Staff
December 6, 2021COVID-19 omicron variant detected in Houston wastewater
Online article reports the variant was found in eight of the city's 39 wastewater treatment plants.
Univision 45 KXLN-TV
December 5, 2021Examinan las aguas residuales de Houston en búsqueda de la variante ómicron
La variante no ha sido detectada en las últimas muestras tomadas del 22 de noviembre, según dijo el Departamento de Salud de Houston.
KTRK Channel 13
December 1, 2021Houston Health Department begins testing city's wastewater for omicron variant
As concerns continue to grow over the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, Houston's Health Department announced it has begun testing the city's wastewater for the variant.
Ronnie Marley
KRIV Fox26
November 30, 2021Houston Health Department testing city wastewater for omicron variant
The Houston Health Department announced on Tuesday they are testing the city’s wastewater for the omicron variant.
KTMD Telemundo Houston
November 30, 2021Evalúan aguas residuales de Houston en busca de Ómicron
El Departamento de Salud revela que hasta el pasado lunes 22 de noviembre, las muestras no reflejaron la presencia de la variante.
Erica Ponder
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 Houston
September 22, 2021
Houston Health Department launches dashboard displaying wastewater virus levelsOnline news article reports the Houston Health Department and Rice University have launched an online public dashboard tracking the level of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in Houston’s wastewater.
Courtney Carpenter
KTRK Channel 13
September 22, 2021New online dashboard displays COVID-19 levels detected in wastewater across Houston
The Houston Health Department launched a new online dashboard that tracks the levels of the COVID-19 virus in the city's wastewater.
Stephanie Whitfield
KHOU Channel 11
September 23, 2021Which Houston-area schools show COVID-19 in the wastewater?
The Houston Health Department monitors COVID-19 levels by testing wastewater at dozens of locations every week. That includes samples from more than 50 Houston ISD schools.
Janelle Bludau
KHOU Channel 11
September 22, 2021COVID-19 levels in Houston's wastewater
The Houston Health Department has been testing the city’s wastewater for COVID-19 since 2020. It tells them what parts of the city have higher levels of the virus.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/houston-wastewater-testing-covid-19-neighborhoods-schools/285-2d97da43-2cff-45d1-ba08-c33853324ac1KTRK Channel 13
September 10, 2021Wastewater shows severity of COVID by zip code in the Houston area
As COVID-19 cases remain high, the city of Houston's health department has a tool that can help pinpoint where outbreaks are happening.
Roxie Bustamante
KTRK Channel 13
August 6, 2021Houston's COVID wastewater level up 320% from a year ago
For more than a year, the city of Houston's health department has been testing wastewater to get a better idea of how fast the virus is spreading and what is to come. Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse is quoted.
Brittany Taylor
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 Houston
August 5, 2021Level of COVID-19 in Houston’s wastewater increases up to 320% compared to 2020′s benchmark level
The Houston Health Department reports an increase of COVID-19 in Houston’s wastewater compared to last year’s benchmark level.
Cory McCord
KHOU Channel 11
August 4, 2021COVID-19 in Houston wastewater currently at levels 'never seen before'
Health officials have been tracking the spread of COVID-19 through wastewater during the coronavirus pandemic. Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse is quoted.
Matt Dougherty
KHOU Channel 11
July 1, 2021Delta coronavirus variant is spreading throughout Houston, wastewater sampling shows
Houston wastewater sampling shows the Delta variant is spreading throughout Houston. Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse is quoted.
Stephanie Whitfield
KHOU Channel 11
June 24, 2021Houston Health Department testing wastewater weekly to track COVID-19 variants
Wastewater testing shows the Delta variant has been in Houston since April. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice with Rice University's Department of Statistics is quoted.
Katie Watkins
Houston Public Media
May 10, 2021A Key Tool In Houston’s Research On COVID-19 Variants? Your Poop
Health officials in Houston started using the city’s sewage system to help detect where the coronavirus was spreading. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice with Rice University's Department of Statistics is quoted.
Julie Garcia
Houston Chronicle
April 19, 2021Houston researchers have been checking your poop during COVID. It’s working so well they're going to keep it up.
Online news story details work in Lauren Stadler’s laboratory at Rice University. Stadler is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering.
Barbi Barbee
KRIV Fox26
March 9, 2021UK coronavirus variant widespread in Houston wastewater, health department says
City of Houston press conference.
Ninfa Saavedra
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 Houston
March 8, 2021More contagious variant of COVID-19 found to be widespread in Houston wastewater, city health officials say
The Houston Health Department announces the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) of the virus that causes COVID-19 was found in most of the city’s wastewater treatment plants. Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse and Mayor Sylvester Turner are quoted.
Univision 45 KXLN-TV
March 8, 2021Variante del covid-19 se propaga de forma "descontrolada" por aguas residuales de Houston
Transmisión de television detalles la variante del Reino Unido es considerada una de las más peligrosas de las que existen en el mundo. La semana pasada, Houston se convirtió en la primera ciudad de Estados Unidos que detecta todas las variantes existentes del covid-19.
Anayeli Ruiz
KHOU Channel 11
January 26, 2021'Numbers are starting to come down' | Wastewater continues to help track COVID-19 spread in Houston
Treatment plants throughout the city are testing for COVID-19 every hour. Health officials say the numbers are declining, but they're coming down from a high level. Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse is quoted.
- 2020 News
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Sofia Ojeda
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 Houston
October 12, 2020Wastewater study in Houston area helps identify COVID-19 outbreaks
Weekly water samples from 39 different Houston area treatment plants are now helping in the fight against the coronavirus and flu. Lauren Stadler, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering is quoted. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice with Rice University's Department of Statistics is also quoted.
Barbi Barbee
Press Conference
KRIV Fox26
September 24, 2020Houston project monitors wastewater to identify emerging COVID-19 outbreaks
City of Houston press conference details a new wastewater monitoring project is underway to pinpoint and stop emerging COVID-19 outbreaks.
Tierra Smith
September 24, 2020
KPRC Channel 2 News, Click 2 HoustonWhat the feces? Houston launches new wastewater monitoring program to help slow spread of COVID-19
Mayor Sylvester Turner presented a new initiative Thursday that could serve as a faster method of containing COVID-19. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice with Rice University's Department of Statistics, and Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse are also quoted.
Katie Watkins
Houston Public Media
In Depth Health & Science
July 29, 2020Houston Officials Are Using Sewage To Help Fight Coronavirus. Here’s Why
Online article details how health officials in Houston are turning to an unlikely source to track the spread of the virus — the city’s sewage system. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer with the Houston Health Department and professor in the practice of statistics, and Lauren Stadler, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University are quoted.