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Alberta was the first province in Canada to offer widespread asymptomatic testing, a decision made in order to collect population-level data on the effects of Alberta’s reopening on COVID-19 case counts.
Since May 29, when the broad asymptomatic testing was introduced, the province completed about 233,000 such tests, with only 0.07 per cent returning positive — about 163 cases.
The low positivity rate shows this capacity could be better utilized, Hinshaw said.
“The asymptomatic testing program has also helped our labs prepare for the large volume of testing we will need in the months ahead,” Hinshaw said. “We processed a large volume of tests this summer, which has helped stress-test our system and identify places where we need to improve.”
Alberta’s testing capacity has increased gradually since the pandemic began in March, and the province was a world leader in testing capacity during much of the past six months. The province’s single-day testing record is nearly 19,000 tests, and more than 900,000 Albertans have been tested for the coronavirus at least once.
One expansion to Alberta’s testing capacity came when asymptomatic testing came to local pharmacies. Hinshaw said pharmacies would still be able to administer asymptomatic tests to those who are in priority groups.
Hinshaw said Alberta has been preparing for the flu season in a number of ways, including by ordering 360,000 extra doses of vaccines. A high-dose vaccine will also be made available for residents of continuing-care facilities. As well, Hinshaw said the province is looking at ways to deliver flu vaccines that won’t involve being in crowded, indoor spaces.
