Why does the data in my PDF report look different from the public data visualization on Biobot's website?*
Raw and effective concentrations for samples submitted by your specific location are shown in your reports. The website data reflects a three-sample weighted average concentration of the three most recent samples sent, and will therefore vary from the values in each sample's individual report. Data on the website is also aggregated at the county level, and may include values from other sampling locations within your same county.
Which data should I use to inform community-level public health action?
Both the report and website data visualization reflect measurements of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a community. Report data reflect individual measurements from your specific location(s), and are therefore representative of viral spread in the community contributing wastewater to your location(s). The website visualization aggregates sample data from your, and possibly other, sampling locations within your county and averages those values over 3 samples to reflect viral spread at the county level.
How do I know if there are other sampling locations contributing data to my county on the website visualization?
While we are not currently providing a list of participating locations within a county, we have facilitated local and regional information exchanges between partner communities. We encourage Biobot Network participants to connect with wastewater treatment plants throughout their county about the wastewater data Biobot provides. If you would like an epidemiology and/or data expert to be part of a conversation between participating Biobot sampling locations, please reach out to support@biobot.io.
If the variant data for my county is not shown, does that mean it was not detected?
Variant sequencing from the most recent batch of samples is reflected on the website. Where no variant data is shown, it is possible that either there was not a sample to sequence in the most recent batch, or the virus concentration level was too low to sequence.
*Note: The medium through which you receive your results is dependent on your customer type. Community, Community+, and Building-level customers receive their results as emailed PDF reports. Biobot Network participants instead receive their results through the data visualization on the Biobot website. CDC NWSS Program Participants receive emailed PDF reports as well as data visualized on the CDC COVID Data Tracker. CDC Program Participants can also opt in to the data visualization on the Biobot website. Email support@biobot.io if you have any questions about your customer type.