SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) — Franklin and Jefferson counties will take part in the first phase of a program that will analyze wastewater for signs of a potential COVID-19 outbreak.

The program, announced by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Discovery Partners Institute Monday, will be expanded to thirty-five counties by mid summer, and to all 102 counties by the end of the year.

According to IDPH, the virus that causes COVID-19 is detectable in human waste nearly from the onset of infection, while symptoms may not appear for three to five days. IDPH will provide $5.5 million to build and support the monitoring system for the next year.

Other counties participating in the first phase of the program include: Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Lawrence, Livingston, Macon, Montgomery, and Vermilion.