Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Government of Alberta is limiting PCR testing as daily testing volumes start to exceed system capacity and wait times increase.
The province says wait times for PCR tests are now approaching four days, and a turnaround time for providing results to patients is nearing 48 hours.
“While we have been used to managing COVID through widespread PCR testing, that approach is not possible with the Omicron variant,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, in a Jan. 10 news release.
“At this time, most people who have mild symptoms don’t need a PCR test. For those without risk factors such as immunosuppression, they should self-isolate and manage their symptoms at home, using a rapid test if they have one.”
PCR testing eligibility will now focus on those who have clinical risk factors for severe outcomes and those who live and work in high-risk settings.
The online COVID-19 assessment tool has been updated to help Albertans determine whether they need a PCR test.
Due to high call volumes for Health Link 811, Albertans are asked to first check their symptoms with the assessment tool before calling Health Link.
The province also says employers and organizations should not require individuals with mild symptoms to have a PCR test to be eligible for sick time.
In a statement responding to the announcement, NDP Health Critic David Shepherd said rapid tests were still difficult to obtain in many places and Albertans now felt abandoned by their government.
He also criticized how the government did not release the AHS two-week forecast, how both the health and education ministers failed to update the public on Jan. 10.
