Coronavirus: Traces of the Mu variant have been found in this city’s wastewater

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — The Mu Variant of the COVID-19 virus has been found in the wastewater in Altamonte Springs.

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It’s the first time that particular variant has appeared in Central Florida’s wastewater since Altamonte Springs began testing for the presence of the coronavirus and its variants.

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The testing is done twice a week. The latest results found the Mu variant in the wastewater at the Altamonte Springs plant, but in a low concentration.

“It’s the first time we detected it in any of the sewer service areas in North Orange County and Seminole County,” Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz said. “The concern is obviously whenever you see something new that shows up, you worry about what that means for the community.”

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Martz says while the amount of the virus in the wastewater has declined from a month ago, it’s still at a “significant” level. The presence of the Mu variant means someone or several people have it.

“Right now we are monitoring that and will continue monitoring that over time,” Martz said. “The more times we see it, the more concerned we get the Mu variant is a mutation of the Delta variant, which is hyper transmissible.”

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The city will test the water again Thursday. Currently, Seminole County’s COVID-19 positivity rate is just under 4 percent.

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