Thousands of Albertans likely had COVID-19

By GILLIAN SLADE on August 8, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

Initial results of serology testing in Alberta indicates that about 36,000 Albertans had already had COVID-19 by May 20, says Alberta Health.

The serology study involved tests on about 9,400 anonymous blood samples collected for other reasons during the first week of June.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, recently revealed the analysis and said there will be monthly updates.

Official COVID-19 test results of 22,1571 tests across the province by May 20, indicated that 6,735 people had tested positive. The serology tests now indicates there were almost six times as many.

Serology testing detects antibodies in blood that are only present in people who have previously been infected by the coronavirus.

Alberta Health announced on May 24 its $10-million serology testing program would focus on two pediatric studies in Calgary and Edmonton. There will also are be tests on samples of blood collected for other purposes and tests on select Albertans in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge more than 45 years old, who are already enrolled in the Alberta’s Tomorrow Project that was launched in 2000.

If a serology test done on blood collected for another purpose is positive, the person whose blood that is will not be told.

Alberta’ s Precision Laboratory also began PCR testing for COVID-19 on approximately 21,000 archived respiratory samples collected between Dec. 1, 2019 and early March 2020. This was being done to gain an understanding of whether COVID-19 was circulating in Alberta prior to our large scale testing.

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