A new geospatial predictive model developed by FACSA and Eurecat makes it possible to prevent risks to public health from wastewater

FACSA and the Eurecat technology center continue to innovate in the development of digital solutions that allow for epidemiological analysis and monitoring through wastewater.

Specifically, FACSA It has taken another step forward in its TRACKER project, an environmental monitoring platform for combating Covid-19, which is evolving into a predictive model thanks to its collaboration with Eurecat. The intelligent monitoring solutions of the new geospatial predictive model use wastewater as a source of information to identify any changes or increases in the presence of trace RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes Covid-19.

This initiative is especially important at a time when there is a low incidence of Covid-19 in Spain and populations have very low concentrations of the virus's genetic material in their wastewater, since being able to maintain such a high level of surveillance without having to resort to direct detection methods is a great advantage and reduces the pressure on public health surveillance systems.

Eurecat's Applied Artificial Intelligence unit has applied data analytics methods, based on machine learning and anomaly detection, to determine the presence of the virus in the different geographical areas under analysis, predict its incidence trend, and detect potential outbreaks. This enables the implementation of an innovative early detection tool designed to alert public agencies and allow for better management of the situation for the benefit of the population.

The TRACKER digital platform, which will be available in early 2022, integrates geospatial data with variables of interest regarding mobility and sociodemographics in the study area, as well as local weather. It also provides up-to-date information on the epidemiological situation at the local, national, and European levels. This initiative, which can be adapted to address other potential public health risks such as antimicrobial resistance and other emerging pathogens, positions FACSA at the forefront of environmental monitoring using wastewater.

FACSA launched the TRACKER initiative last April and was one of 18 selected, out of a total of 135, within the European funding program INNO4COV-19.

The INNO4COV-19 call has a budget of 6.1 million euros and seeks to support the commercialization of new products in Europe to combat Covid-19, through the promotion of innovative solutions categorized in four major fields, ranging from medical technologies to environmental monitoring solutions, with TRACKER being the only project selected in the first call.