Recent waste-water testing at the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant revealed increased levels of Covid-19, the flu and Enterovirus D68, a variant of the common cold.
Waste-water monitoring provides early indications of viral spreads by testing for the presence of noteworthy bacteria and viruses, according to the CDC.
The Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant services Los Altos, Mountain View and Los Altos Hills, among many other South Bay Area cities.
A representative from the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department advised residents to protect themselves and others by washing hands frequently and covering coughs and sneezes, noting the importance of getting the vaccines available for the flu and COVID-19.
“Unlike Enterovirus, there are vaccines for COVID and flu, and now is the time to get them,” the public health official said.
Other recommendations include staying home when feeling sick and wearing a mask while in crowded areas.
