Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw updates media on the COVID-19 in this Canadian Press file photo.--CP FILE PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Alberta Health is recommending asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for all teachers and staff in the K-12 education system before school starts at the end of the month.
Arrangements for the tests can be made through two local pharmacies: Sandstone Pharmacies, 116 Carry Dr., located in the Carry Drive Clinic building (403-528-2111), and Shoppers Drug Mart, 2440 Division Ave. NW, across the road from Northlands Co-op in Crescent Heights (403-528-0539).
Teachers and staff can also book a test through Alberta Health Services using the online self-assessment tool, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
Parents can continue to access testing for their children through AHS if they have symptoms or a pre-existing medical conditions that produces symptoms similar to COVID-19.
Even though testing at pharmacies has only been taking place in Medicine Hat recently, Hinshaw is asking asymptomatic residents to wait until after Sept. 1 to allow lab capacity to handle the volume of tests connected to the education system.
Hinshaw says there are plans to expand Alberta’s testing capacity and additional options for testing will be announced soon.
