Notes from the Field: Early Evidence of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant in Community Wastewater — United States, November–December 2021

Summary: The protocol outlines a safe, cost-effective, and reproducible method for detecting the genetic signal of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater through steps such as pasteurization. It has been adopted by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for monitoring the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater across all five boroughs of the city. In the future, it could be utilized for detecting various clinically relevant viruses in wastewater and serving as the foundation for a surveillance strategy for monitoring community spread of both known and emerging viral pathogens.