By Chris Brown

New approach to COVID-19 testing in Alberta

Mar 23, 2020 | 11:15 AM

Alberta is implementing a new approach to COVID-19 testing designed to target those at highest risk of local exposure and at-risk populations.

Effective today, travellers who returned to the province after March 12 and have mild symptoms will no longer be tested for COVID-19. Instead they will told to self-isolate at home and stay away from others – the same advice that has been applied to all Albertans. Anyone who has previously been told they will be tested will still get tested.

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.

IN THE CITY

Tree removals planned for Gas City Campground due to gas pipeline risks

1h ago

EDUCATION

Medicine Hat public education support workers vote against labour deal

18h ago

EDUCATION

Young minds impress at Ross Glen school's annual science fair

20h ago

“Changing our testing protocols will allow us to focus Alberta’s 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.” – _{Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health}

New resources are expected to be in place later this week as Alberta Health Services builds extra capacity to provide advice to returning travellers with symptoms to ensure they are following directions to self-isolate and are monitoring their symptoms.