Banff 
Alberta is changing the eligibility criteria for getting a free PCR test as the daily PCR testing volumes are beginning to exceed system capacity.
The province says the wait times for booking a PCR test are approaching four days with the turnaround time for providing results to patients is approaching 48 hours.
Alberta Health Services will now provide PCR testing for those who have clinical risk factors for severe outcomes and those who live and work in high-risk settings.
“While we have been used to managing COVID through widespread PCR testing, that approach is not possible with the Omicron variant. At this time, most people who have mild symptoms don’t need a PCR test,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health announcing the change. “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.”
Eligibility criteria
Effective immediately, PCR tests will be available only for the following individuals:
- Continuing care residents and health-care 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.
- Those who are not immunized and are:
- 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.
Alberta says the AHS website has been updated to reflect the latest changes including the online COVID-19 assessment tool to help Albertans determine whether they need a PCR test, what type of care to seek based on their symptoms and how to take care of symptoms at home with appropriate support.
Those with mild illness are advised not to visit emergency departments seeking a test, as tests in those settings are only used when a test is needed for patient care.
The province says employers and organizations should not require individuals with mild symptoms to have a PCR test to be eligible for sick time off work as it is critical to support those who are sick to stay home with no testing requirements at this time of high transmission.
Alberta reported 17,577 new cases since Friday – (5,281 on Jan. 9, 6,135 on Jan. 8, 6,161 on Jan. 7).
