STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Supplied Government of Alberta
By Chris Brown (CHATnews today) / EverythingGP staff

Health Minister says more rapid tests coming

Feb 10, 2022 | 5:03 PM

Supply chain issues are easing and Alberta is expanding and changing how it is distributing COVID-19 rapid test kits.

Health Minister Jason Copping says 633 pharmacies have signed up to the distribution program since last week, bringing the number of pharmacies participating to 1,453.

“We’re shipping another two million tests to the pharmacies this week and all pharmacies should have the stock by next week. Participating pharmacies will be added to the Blue Cross website as they receive their tests,” he says.

Copping says more than 2.5 million rapid tests were sent to pharmacies and AHS locations in the province last week.

With the expansion of the pharmacy program, Alberta Health Services sites will no longer distribute masks once the facility’s current supply is gone.

Every Albertan is allowed one free test kit every 14 days as supply allows.

Copping says the number of cases is down two-thirds since the peak of the fifth wave last month and calls for everyone to respect each other’s boundaries as everyone has different risk tolerances.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says starting February 16, fully immunized continuing care workers will be allowed to work at multiple facilities once again.

“This move is intended to help facilities avoid staffing challenges brought on by limiting workers to a single long term care or designated supportive living facility.”

On booster shots, Hinshaw said bookings will open February 15 for those aged 12-17 years with underlying conditions such as diabetes and asthma as well as those in the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in the same age group. Immunocompromised people in the same age group will be eligible for a fourth shot.

Third-dose booking will also open Tuesday for kids aged 5-11 who have specific immunocompromising conditions.

by Chris Brown (CHATnews today) / EverythingGP staff