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By Connor Gunn/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Risk Factors

AHS updates COVID-19 PCR testing eligibility

Jan 10, 2022 | 5:39 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is changing the eligibility for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced Monday that the requirements to receive a free PCR test has changed with the new eligibility being in specific categories.

Testing eligibility will now be focused on those with clinical risk factors for severe outcomes and those who live or work in high-risk settings.

Examples include:

• Continuing care residents and healthcare workers and staff in acute and continuing care settings, shelters, and correctional facilities who meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • need confirmation of a positive rapid test on screening
  • have COVID-19 symptoms
  • are part of an outbreak investigation where public health has requested lab-based PCR testing
• Symptomatic household members of a person who works in continuing care or acute care.
• Emergency department or hospital patients of all ages who meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • inpatients who develop new COVID-19 symptoms while in hospital
  • patients being admitted for symptoms consistent with COVID-19
  • patients in the emergency department with respiratory illness where a test will change treatment plans
• Symptomatic community patients who would be eligible for Sotrovimab (monoclonal antibody) treatment if positive:
  • Those who are not immunized and are:
    • age 55 and over
    • 18 years and over with one of the following health conditions: diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or moderate to severe asthma
    • children aged 12 to 17, with referral by a pediatric I.D. specialist
    • pregnant
  • Those who are immunosuppressed (transplant, active cancer or systemic immune treatment), regardless if immunized or not.
• People from isolated and remote First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities, and individuals travelling to these communities for work.
• Asymptomatic continuing care residents returning/readmitted from other health-care settings.
• Pediatric and adult asymptomatic transplant donors and recipients, prior to transplant.
• Pediatric and adult oncology patients, prior to commencing chemotherapy.
• Newborns born to COVID-19-positive parents.
• Returning international travellers who become symptomatic within 14 days after their arrival.

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If you do not fall into the above list, you are not eligible for COVID-19 PCR testing from AHS.

Hinshaw wanted to be clear in saying “going to an emergency department does not make someone eligible for a PCR test.”

Private testing is available, for a fee, for testing related to:

• Travel
• Accessing businesses or events participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program

More information about PCR testing can be found at albertahealthservices.ca.

AHS also states Albertans can use an at-home rapid test to screen for COVID-19. If you don’t have access to one, stay home and away from other people until your symptoms get better.

NDP Health Critic David Shepherd issued the following statement in response to today’s public health update:

“At today’s COVID update, Dr. Hinshaw asked Albertans who do not fall into the new list of eligibility for PCR tests to call and cancel their existing appointments, whether or not they have access to a rapid test.

“With rapid tests still difficult to obtain in many places, I know many Albertans will feel abandoned by their government as the Omicron variant spreads out of control in their community.

“Dr. Hinshaw also said ‘we need to prepare for significant impact’ on the healthcare system, but was unable to say why the UCP refuses to release the AHS two-week forecast that describes that impact in detail.

“I’m extremely concerned that we did not see the Health Minister join today’s update to provide the essential information Albertans need to make informed decisions around COVID-19, nor did we see the Education Minister provide an update on the first day back to school across the province.

“Albertans cannot trust the UCP as they continue to dodge their responsibility, and refuse to be forthcoming with critical public health information. They must release the AHS two-week forecast, and stop hiding the truth from Albertans.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)