Alberta ends drop-in coronavirus testing as active cases spike

The Province of Alberta has decided to stop drop-in coronavirus testing.

A release from the province states that AHS assessment centres will be operating on an appointment-only approach as of Wednesday, October 14, meaning that the only way to book an appointment is through the Alberta Health Services’ online screening tool.

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The change comes following a Thanksgiving long weekend that saw a significant spike in new and active cases, with 961 cases being detected between October 9 and 12.

That breaks down to 236 on October 9, 259 on October 10, 246 on October 11, and 220 on October 12.

Active cases have now reached 2,615, the majority of which are in Edmonton.

Voluntary asymptomatic testing remains available for school teachers and staff, health-care workers, Albertans experiencing homelessness, and travellers who require testing before departure.

Priority testing is going to anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus, close contacts of confirmed spaces, and workers or residents of specific outbreaks sites, the release states.

As always, Albertans are encouraged to practice safe physical distancing, wear a mask when out in public, maintain proper hand hygiene, and stay home if feeling at all sick.