COVID-19's Impact on Northern Kentucky, as Explored in Wastewater Testing

Abstract

This news story investigates an initiative’s attempt to track the impact of COVID- 19 on Northern Kentucky through wastewater analysis. Previous articles have explored wastewater testing during the pandemic, but a story has never investigated a local initiative and explored wastewater as a developing science in the United States. Wastewater can contain traces of the virus from infected individuals, and these results can quickly estimate the pandemic’s impact on an area. I interviewed several members of this initiative on their contributions and perspectives. This story shines light on a community- driven initiative’s attempt to better understand public health during an international crisis.