This unprecedented strain on lab resources is forcing everyday testing (such as E.coli testing in water) down the priority list, or making it unavailable altogether. Low laboratory staffing, due to mandatory social distancing restrictions, is making the situation worse.

Most labs are failing to adequately analyze water samples during this COVID-19 period, whether due to logistical issues, transportation, or insufficient staff levels.

Learn how technology can help:

• Deliver fast, accurate results
• Eliminate logistical
• Transportation issues
• Allow for social distancing
• Frees up labs to perform higher-priority testing

It's been reported widely that COVID-19 can be detected in wastewater. This means testing sewage could potentially be a simple way to detect and track outbreaks, offering an earlier warning than clinical tests or hospitalizations. Wastewater surveillance could also detect outbreaks at vulnerable institutions without testing everyone there.

Learn what the future of monitoring COVID-19 looks like?

Join Dr. R. Stephen Brown, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the School of Environmental Studies at Queen's University and Mr. Eric Marcotte, Technology Manager, Pathogen Detection Systems Inc. (Tecta PDS) as they address these questions moderated by Mr. Brian Dodo, CEO of MAPP Africa Inc.

Dr. R. Stephen Brown

Stephen has been a professor in the Department of Chemistry and the School of Environmental Studies at Queen's University since 1996, leading research projects in various aspects of water quality and water treatment. His work includes monitoring chemical and microbiological contaminants, with an emphasis on both environmental and human health impacts. His group invented a new bacteria monitoring technology that is now licensed and commercialized by TECTA-PDS inc. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 12 patents, is a core member of the Beaty Water Research Centre at Queen’s, and is Director of the LEADERS graduate research training program. He continues to lead research in developing technologies for detection of chemical and microbiological contaminants.

Eric Marcotte

Eric is an Engineering Chemistry graduate of Queen’s University, has over 15 years of experience in advanced spectrometry and its application to microbiological water testing technologies. He is a co-inventor of the original TECTA technology, has numerous additional related patents and has co-authored several publications in his area of interest. He is currently the Technology Manager at TECTA-PDS.