Alberta - Apply for COVID-19 Test

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Procedure

Apply Online

1. Following are procedures on how you can get tested for COVID-19 in Alberta, Canada. If you are experiencing any of the core COVID-19 symptoms mentioned under 'Eligibility' section or known exposure to COVID-19, you must stay home and book your test online with Alberta Health Services (AHS) assessment tool or call Health Link 811.
2. To book a test online click this link - COVID-19 Testing / Online Booking.
3. As you can see there are two buttons that says "COVID-19 Testing / Online Booking." There is a booking button specifically designated for healthcare workers, group home and shelter workers, school teachers and/or school staff. The other booking button is for Albertans with COVID-19 symptoms, exposed to people with COVID, has link to a known outbreak, or those who require asymptomatic testing for the purpose of travel. Click the booking button that corresponds to your case.
4. After you click the booking button you will be taken to a new page where you will need to complete a self-assessment test. You will be asked questions regarding symptoms you are currently experiencing. To answer the questions you will need to click the "Yes" or "No" buttons.
5. Depending on your symptoms, you will be given instructions on what you should do next. If you are recommended to be tested for COVID-19 you will be asked to complete an application form.
6. After providing all the needed information, you may be presented with an option to book an appointment online. If online booking is not available, you can request a callback from Alberta Health Services to book an appointment (contact information available below).
7. If you have already scheduled an appointment for COVID-19 testing, you do not need to complete the self-assessment again before attending your test appointment. You can cancel or reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours prior to your appointment time. To modify an appointment click - LINK.
8. You can choose to receive your test result through SMS text message or automated phone message. Text message is the fastest way to receive your result - delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Automated phone messages will be delivered between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. You can also view your result as soon as it is available through MyHealth Records.
9. To those who have no symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19, you may visit a participating pharmacy to get tested. NOTE: Pharmacies can only test asymptomatic individuals and with no known exposure to COVID-19. List of Participating pharmacies

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Required Documents

List down the documents required for successfully completing the procedure.
e.g.
1. Proof of child birth from the Hospital.

Office Locations & Contacts

Alberta Health Services
Corporate Office
Seventh Street Plaza
14th Floor, North Tower
10030 – 107 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3E4

Phone: 780-342-2000
Toll free: 1-888-342-2471
Fax: 780-342-2060

Health Advice Dial 811 for Health Link

Find a doctor

Eligibility

As of September 17, 2020, COVID-19 testing in Alberta is now recommended only for:

• Albertans with symptoms of COVID-19;
• Albertans who are close contacts of a confirmed case, whether symptomatic or not;
• Albertans who are linked to a known outbreak, whether symptomatic or not; and,
• Asymptomatic Albertans who require asymptomatic testing for the purpose of travel.

COVID-19 core symptoms:

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

If you do not have symptoms and do not fall into the above list, you are not recommended for COVID-19 testing.

Please remember that you are legally required to isolate for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms or until they are gone, whichever is longer.

On the other hand, if you have any of these other symptoms, you should stay home and limit contact with others until your symptoms are gone:

• 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

There is an order of priority being followed in testing to reduce wait times and speed up access to results. Albertans with symptoms and vulnerable groups at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 are tested first.

Priority testing is available to:

• 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

To those who are working in the areas listed below are eligible for testing for COVID-19. You can also book your appointment for testing online if you live within 75 kms from a testing assessment centre.

• Healthcare workers;
• School teachers and/or school staff;
• Group home, disability support and shelter workers;
• Correctional facility staff in provincial / federal facilities; and
• Individuals who provide services in a clinical care setting including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites. 	
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Name
• Address
• City or town (in Alberta)
• Gender
• Alberta Healthcare Number
• Date of birth

Need for the Document

Please provide the need for the procedure. e.g. Birth Certificate - why do we need to have a birth certificate? 
 

Information which might help

• Experiencing Symptoms: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above you should monitor your health and call Health Link 811 or your health care provider if you have questions or concerns. If your COVID-19 symptoms becomes severe call 911 immediately. This includes difficulty in breathing, severe chest pain, feelings of confusion or loss of consciousness.
• You do not have to self-isolate if:
  • you are awaiting asymptomatic test results.
  • you have no symptoms of illness.
  • you have symptoms of illness that are related to a pre-existing illness or health condition.
  • you have tested negative for COVID-19.
  • you have tested negative for COVID-19 and have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat that is not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition. We do always suggest you stay home when sick with any illness, until symptoms resolve; however, if your COVID test is negative, this is not legally required.
• Tested Positive: If you are tested positive for COVID-19 you are legally required to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of symptoms, or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer; however, you ARE allowed to leave home to come for testing, following the guidance outlined in this Order.
• Testing: Testing will tell you whether you have COVID-19 at the time of your test, even if you are asymptomatic. Testing will not tell you whether you have previously had COVID-19 and whether or not you have any immunity to COVID-19.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Alberta Government Website
• Alberta Health Services Website

Others

More information which might help people.