More than 924,000 rapid tests are being used to help protect workers, students and vulnerable Albertans from COVID-19.

Rapid tests will support screening programs to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent outbreaks at a wide range of businesses and sectors:

  • 325,000 tests to Suncor, Syncrude and CNRL
  • 267,000 to long-term care, designated supportive living and hospice facilities
  • 100,000 for a new pilot program offering rapid tests in schools
  • 100,000 to rural and remote hospitals, assessment centres and other health care sites
  • 76,000 to WestJet
  • 56,000 to various other industries and groups across the province

Thousands of additional rapid tests will be deployed to more businesses and service providers in the coming weeks.

Long-term care and designated supportive living

Since February, rapid tests have been shipped to all 366 AHS-contracted long-term care and designated supportive living sites. Rapid screening supports but does not replace other health measures in place at each facility.

All other licensed supportive living accommodations for seniors and other Albertans are being offered rapid tests to protect anyone living and working within these facilities. Health officials are reviewing applications and expect to ship thousands of additional devices in the next few weeks.

Workplace screening

Rapid tests have been deployed to help more businesses implement employee screening programs across the province.

This includes programs that will protect thousands of workers in the oil and gas, banking, telecommunications and transportation sectors.

Rapid tests will be used in Cargill High River’s screening program over the next several months, and discussions are underway to provide tests to other interested meat-processing plants to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Hospitals, shelters and other settings

Diagnostic rapid tests have also been deployed at:

  • 38 COVID-19 assessment centres
  • 62 hospitals
  • Seven homeless shelters
  • Mobile testing facilities, including those offering tests to residents and staff of long-term care and designated supportive living, and industrial outbreak sites including the Olymel meat processing facility in Red Deer.

Information provided by the Government of Alberta.