Wastewater testing shows COVID-19 levels remain high in communities across New York state. These include Erie and Monroe counties, according to the New York state COVID tracking website.

With fewer people getting tested regularly, researchers are keeping a close eye on wastewater trends to track infections.

"Wastewater became a very important first adjunct, and at this point is the main signal we get in the community for how much COVID is around," said Dr. Chris Morley, professor and chair of the Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine at Norton College of Medicine at Upstate Medical University.

Epidemiologist Dustin Hill at Syracuse University said wastewater testing is just one data point to consider, and when positive tests increase alongside hospitalizations, then it is time to take further action.

"We’re actually at some of the lowest levels we’ve seen in a year compared to all of last year," said Hill. "At least the wastewater data was telling us that we were in sustained high transmission throughout last year."

He and Dr. Morley recommended people continue taking necessary precautions if they believe they have a respiratory infection that could be COVID. At-home and PCR tests are believed to still detect infection.