Yuma County is among the worst-hit communities by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The County’s COVID-19 positivity test rate of 20 percent, compared to the state’s average of 14 percent, is an indicator of how much the virus is spreading.
The University of Arizona’s Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, and state and local authorities, launched a wastewater testing project to try to get ahead of virus outbreaks.
Wastewater testing can identify COVID-19 infection spikes in a community up to a week before laboratory testing.
Paul Brierley, Executive Director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture says data collected from wastewater testing can be used to mobilize public health officials early.
Wastewater epidemiology used to stave off lettuce shortage
Wastewater epidemiology used to stave off lettuce shortage By Megan McNeil | January 21, 2021 at 5:39 PM MST - Updated January 21 at 5:39 PM
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) -The University of Arizona is leading the charge in studying wastewater for potential diseases, including COVID-19. Now, the work of epidemiologists could help save the nation from a leafy-green shortage, starting right here in Arizona.
Yuma produces the majority of the U.S. winter-time leafy greens. Itâs a huge economic driver this time of year, and the population close to doubles with migrant workers and field producers.
Todd Fitchette
Paul Brierley is the executive director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture. Paul Brierley oversees the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture and attracts donors willing to fund research projects.
In a world of shrinking Extension budgets and the need to move quickly on programs to aid commercial farmers, a public/private partnership was borne five years ago to address the unique needs of produce growers in the Yuma, Ariz. region.
Through the collaboration and research available with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and donations by local produce growers, the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture came about to meet the fast-moving needs of Yuma area farmers. With its formation, YCEDA hired Paul Brierley to oversee the program and attract donors willing to fund research projects.
Napoleon High School senior Janae Weigel has been a part of FFA for five years. In that time, she has earned four state champion titles and has been on four first-place teams. The FFA president has also qualified for nationals three times.
FFA adviser Brian Schneider said he cannot give Weigel enough praise for her leadership and dedication to her team. He said he is confident that she could have won at least four more titles if the state convention wasnât canceled due to COVID-19.
âThis young lady exhibits leadership ability far beyond her years and is absolutely amazing,â Schneider wrote in a letter of recommendation. âI know Janae will continue to do well in the future because of her ability, dedication, work ethic and her desire to learn.â
Yuma County will begin testing wastewater as part of an early COVID-19 detection program, the first countywide wastewater detection project in Arizona.
The program will collect wastewater samples twice a week in various locations across the county.
University of Arizona s Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture will then analyze the samples and share data with public health officials.
“It gives a head start warning, advanced warning, because people shed the virus in their stool about a week before they show any symptoms, so it alerts you to people who don’t even know they’re sick.” said Paul Brierly, the executive director of the YCEDA.