MANSFIELD -- In a new effort to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, a network across Ohio is studying samples of wastewater to look for the presence of fragments from the virus that causes the disease.

An upward trend of viral gene copies has been detected in the Mansfield sewershed which serves all Mansfield communities, according to a press release issued Tuesday from Richland Public Health. This trend is an early indicator that cases of COVID-19 in the community may be increasing.

Richland County has been operating in Level 2 (Orange) of the Ohio Public Health Advisory System since Sept. 17. It was at Levl 1 (Yellow) the previous four weeks.