By Chris Brown

Alberta’s COVID-19 PCR testing program changing

Jul 12, 2022 | 12:21 PM

Changes are coming to the province’s COVID-19 PCR testing program.

According to the government, starting July 18 testing to inform clinical treatment will need a referral from a medical professional, except for those who live or work in high-risk settings. They can continue to self-refer through the AHS assessment tool.

There will also be changes to some testing locations, but the news release from the province does not provide details.

Health Minister Jason Copping says the changes will help bring care closer to Albertans’ medical homes, better direct testing capacity toward those who are most at risk and allow some health-care personnel working in assessment centres to return to their regular roles in the health system.

As of July 18, Albertans who need PCR testing to inform their care will need a referral from a clinician. This includes:

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• People with symptoms who may be eligible for outpatient treatment (Paxlovid or Remdesivir).
• People with symptoms who are pregnant.
• People who have been referred for testing as part of their medical assessment.

Clinicians will determine the best testing option for their patients, which could include rapid testing at home or in clinic, in-clinic swabbing with the sample sent to the lab for PCR testing or a referral to an AHS site for testing.

Albertans who are referred to an AHS site by their clinician will enter their physician’s name into the assessment tool and their physician will submit a lab requisition on their behalf.

Albertans who are eligible for outpatient treatment who do not have a primary care provider or who are unable to book an appointment can continue to call Health Link at 1-844-343-0971.

Eligibility through self-referral is available for people with symptoms who live or work in isolated and remote First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities, and health-care and continuing care workers and workers in specific high-transmission risk settings such as correctional facilities and shelters.

They will continue to be able to access testing in their community or at their work location.

Rapid tests remain readily available for self-diagnosis. Free rapid test kits are available to all Albertans through hundreds of pharmacies across the province.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says waves of COVID-19 will continue this summer and fall, and increased transmission of other respiratory viruses like influenza. She reminds Albertans of the importance of monitoring for symptoms, staying home when sick and, for those eligible for treatment, quickly accessing rapid or PCR testing when sick.