There's another way to track COVID-19 trends across the country. Scientists have been testing wastewater for COVID since the pandemic began. 

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a dashboard people can use to keep up with their findings.

Right now, the CDC tool tracks COVID-19 trends in wastewater from more than a dozen states, including Virginia.

Dr. Amy Kirby, program lead for the CDC's national wastewater surveillance system, said she expects more states to join the efforts, eventually. 

Scientists check for signs of COVID-19 left behind when people use the restroom. The CDC tracker shows changes over the course of a 15-day period.