Teachers and school staff are encouraged to get tested before school starts, while other asymptomatic people are encouraged to wait until September.

Overview

Alberta has one of the highest testing rates in the world. Our testing approach will evolve as we learn more about the virus and testing technologies improve.

We have expanded our testing to:

  • trace the spread of the virus so we can identify steps to limit further spread
  • determine how well our public health measures are working
  • get a point-in-time assessment of the prevalence of COVID-19 in Alberta
  • inform decisions to move to the next stage of Alberta's relaunch strategy

Who can be tested

Any person who wants to be tested can now be tested, even if they don't have symptoms.

The following groups will continue to receive priority for testing:

  • any person exhibiting any symptom of COVID-19
  • all close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases
  • all workers and/or residents at specific outbreak sites
  • all workers and residents at long-term care and level 4 supportive living facilities
  • all patients admitted to continuing care or transferred between continuing care and hospital settings

How to get tested

Book a test

Book a testing appointment online with the AHS assessment tool or call Health Link 811.

If you have symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19, you must stay home and book your test with AHS.

Take the COVID-19 assessment / Book a test

Visit a participating pharmacy

Pharmacies can now choose to provide testing to people who have no symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19.

Contact a participating pharmacy to arrange a test. To see if your local pharmacy offers testing, visit Alberta Blue Cross.

Teachers and staff testing

Teachers and school-based staff are encouraged to get tested before school starts and regularly throughout the year.

To access testing:

Health care, shelter and enforcement personnel testing

While all Albertans are currently eligible for testing, the following flowchart and online assessment tool are available for front-line workers:

Industry-initiated testing

Guidelines and parameters are available for companies that want to request and pay for testing for their employees, contractors or clients. Public testing is a priority. Industry-initiated testing will be suspended if supplies or testing capacity are in short supply.

Symptoms

You should get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptom.

If you have any these symptoms you are legally required to isolate for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms or until they resolve, whichever is longer:

  • Fever
  • Cough (new cough or worsening chronic cough)
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (new or worsening)
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat

If you have any of these other symptoms, stay home and minimize your contact with others until your symptoms resolve:

  • Chills
  • Painful swallowing
  • Stuffy nose
  • Headache
  • Muscle or joint aches
  • Feeling unwell, fatigue or severe exhaustion
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained loss of appetite)
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste
  • Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye

Monitor your health and call Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns. Call 911 immediately if experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, including difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, feelings of confusion or loss of consciousness.

Assess your risk

Some people have a higher risk of experiencing severe health outcomes, including hospitalization, intensive care or death.

Assess your severe illness risk

Help prevent the spread

Download and use the ABTraceTogether mobile contact tracing app when out in public.

This voluntary app helps let you know if you've been exposed to COVID-19 – or if you've exposed others – while protecting your privacy.

See other ways to help prevent the spread.

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