As part of NWSS, Biobot contributes data from more than 400 locations from over 250 counties across a total of 50 states and U.S. Territories, providing coverage for 60 million people. Biobot tests each location for MPXV (the virus that causes mpox), SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and conducts genomic sequencing to identify COVID-19 variants. This program has been invaluable in demonstrating the impact of a national, coordinated wastewater monitoring program, and has helped federal, state, and local officials better track the prevalence and spread of COVID-19 and mpox to inform public health responses.

"As the availability of clinical data decreases, wastewater monitoring has become a more reliable indicator of COVID-19 prevalence and provides local officials with a better understanding of viral spread in their communities," said Newsha Ghaeli, Biobot President & Cofounder. Similarly, as mpox cases decline across the country, wastewater could be the way we detect a local resurgence. "We're excited to continue our partnership with CDC and lay the groundwork for future program expansion into other infectious diseases and beyond."