On Monday morning, Alberta announced it will be taking a new approach to testing for COVID-19 that is going to prioritize groups at highest risk of local exposure and at-risk populations.
Travellers who returned to Alberta after March 12 and are showing mild symptoms will not longer be tested. The province asks anyone who is sick to self-isolate at home and stay away from others.
This change is effective going forward, so anyone who has already been told by Health Link that they will be tested will still get tested.
Alberta chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said changing the testing protocols will allow the province to focus the testing capacity on those most at risk.
“This is consistent with the approach happening across Canada. It will enable us to strategically use our testing resources. Our new approach reflects the fact that the most important thing anyone can do if they have mild symptoms isn’t to get tested – it’s to stay home and self-isolate,” Hinshaw stated.
Testing will be prioritized for the following individuals, if they are symptomatic:
- People who are hospitalized with respiratory illness.
- Residents of continuing care and other similar facilities.
- People who returned from travelling abroad between March 8 and March 12 (before the self-isolation protocols were in place.
- Health-care workers with respiratory symptoms (this testing will begin later this week).
Anyone with symptoms who does not fit any of these categories should stay home and self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
The online self-assessment tool has been updated to reflect the change in testing for returning travellers.
Alberta Health Services is building extra capacity to be able to provide advice to returning travellers with symptoms, ensuring they are following proper medical directions including staying home and away from others, and monitoring their symptoms. These resources are expected to be in place later this week.
