Houston’s wastewater analysis shows the rapidly expanding UK COVID variant, a week after the Texas mask’s mandate was revoked

The Houston Department of Health has made an alarming discovery to the city’s sewer system. According to NBC News affiliate KPRC-TV, wastewater samples collected in Houston last month have shown that the coronavirus variant first discovered in the UK is spreading rapidly. The variant was found at 31 of the city’s 39 wastewater treatment plants on Feb. 22, two weeks earlier, it was found at only 21 of the plants. The discovery was announced a week after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he planned to end the state’s mask mandate and push all companies to reopen completely. “The prevalence of the UK variant in our wastewater shows that it is actively spreading in our city,” said David Persse, chief physician in the city of Houston. “This is another clear indication that we should continue to mask ourselves, practice social distancing, wash our hands, test ourselves, and vaccinate ourselves whenever possible.”