Beginning July 18, several eligibility and operational changes to the PCR testing program will come into effect. Tests to inform clinical treatment will need a referral from a medical professional and some testing locations will change.

“We are taking steps to build on the foundation we have in place for dealing with other respiratory viruses. These updates to our PCR testing program help facilitate care closer to Albertans’ medical homes, allow us to direct Alberta's testing capacity toward those who are most at risk, and allow some health-care workers who have been deployed to assessment centres for the last two years to return to their regular roles to support other health services.”

“Over the summer and into the fall, Alberta can expect to see waves of COVID-19 continue, along with increased transmission of other respiratory viruses like influenza. I would like to remind 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.”

Alberta Health Services (AHS) assessment tool and testing locations

The AHS online assessment tool will continue to be used to book appointments at AHS sites for those who meet the eligibility criteria, live or work in high-risk settings, or are referred by a medical professional.

AHS will continue to offer PCR testing at some assessment centres. In other communities, testing will take place at AHS clinics designated as swabbing sites, integrated with other services.

Where testing is needed to inform treatment decisions, primary care and urgent care clinics can choose to perform testing on site or refer to an AHS location.

Eligibility through clinician referral

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

• 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

Eligible Albertans who live or work in high-risk settings can continue to self-refer through the AHS assessment tool. This includes:

• People with symptoms who live or work in isolated and remote First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities.
• Health-care and continuing care workers and workers in specific high-transmission risk settings such as correctional facilities and shelters.

Individuals living or working in isolated and remote First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities will also continue to be able to access testing in their community.

Individuals who live or stay in high-transmission risk settings will continue to be able to access testing on site at their location.

Rapid tests

For all Albertans, rapid tests continue to be a readily available and convenient tool for self-diagnosis. Free rapid test kits are available to all Albertans through hundreds of pharmacies across the province.