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The Correlation Between SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Rising COVID-19 Vaccination Rates, in Los Angeles California

Author(s): Lauren Holm1, Keely Rodriguez2

1. Los Altos High School 2. University of Nevada, Reno

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Summary:
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly impacted everyone around the globe. In 2020, many countries entered into a lockdown, transforming daily lifestyles into isolation. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease COVID-19 slowly spread…

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The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly impacted everyone around the globe. In 2020, many countries entered into a lockdown, transforming daily lifestyles into isolation. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease COVID-19 slowly spread to different regions of the world, and the first cases of COVID-19 infection in Los Angeles County, California, were documented in mid-January 2020. In March 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom of California declared a state of emergency and implemented a stay-at-home order (1). Therefore, people were quarantined at home, and many “non- essential” businesses were closed, including schools. With no cure available and hospitals reaching maximum capacity, scientists raced to develop vaccines to immunize individuals against the virus. Meanwhile, wastewater technicians began collecting wastewater samples to monitor the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus shed from infected residents. We hypothesized that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in LA County wastewater would decrease as localized vaccination rates increased. Here, we describe a meta-analysis comparing two data sets; the vaccination progression data in Los Angeles County, and the wastewater surveillance PCR

Licensed under CC Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International according to these terms

Version 1.0 - published on 03 Feb 2023 doi:10.25334/7JRJ-CA21 - cite this

Description

The pandemic has spurred a large interest in students wanting to investigate various aspects of the pandemic. One of those students in our program was Lauren. Read her study where she investigated vaccination rates and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. 

Find out more about the Headwaters Research Experience here: https://headwatersscienceinstitute.org/science-camp/headwaters-research-experience/

What is the Headwaters Research Experience?

The Headwaters Research Experience (HRE) is a science education program that offers students an opportunity to design and conduct an original research project with the guidance of a professional scientist mentor. The program provides hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and life skills to help prepare students for college and careers in science. The program costs $1399 and includes access to the STEM Connections platform and alumni Discord server. It is considered a valuable opportunity for students looking to enhance their science education and professional network.

 

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