Banff 
COVID-19 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIH
During the April 13th press briefing, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said that Alberta has expanded access to COVID-19 laboratory tests to better trace the spread of the novel coronavirus. In addition to testing in hard-hit areas and testing of vulnerable Albertans and essential workers, any individual exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath, is now eligible for testing.
Alberta has one of the highest testing rates in the world. Alberta’s testing approach has evolved as situations changed – from testing only travellers with serious symptoms during the initial days to the new regime of testing everybody with symptoms. Alberta is taking an aggressive contract tracing strategy to limit the spread of the virus.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw said, “We are expanding eligibility for testing to anyone in Alberta who has a fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat.”
As of April 13th, Alberta has completed 79,781 tests. Currently, there are a total of 1,732 positive cases, 46 deaths and 877 people have recovered from COVID-19.
HOW TO GET TESTED IN ALBERTA
If you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose and you think that you may have COVID-19, take the AHS COVID-19 assessment and fill out the contact form.
A separate self-assessment tool is available for health care and shelter workers, enforcement and first responders.
If your symptoms worsen, call 811. Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention and inform them that you may have COVID-19.
