Lifestyle

Some Albertans will only have to wait 20 minutes for a COVID result as part of a new pilot project

 Some Albertans will only have to wait 20 minutes for a COVID result as part of a new pilot project
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Via Shutterstock

rapid tests
rapid tests

Most people who have had to be tested for the COVID-19 virus will tell you that the worst part, was not getting a stick up the nose, or the period of tonsil hockey you have to play with the swab; it’s the waiting game. Luckily, as part of a new pilot program, Albertans will now be able to get their results in minutes, as opposed to several days.

These Health Canada-approved rapid tests will be available in early December in Calgary, Edmonton, Slave Lake, and Bonneyville and can determine whether or not a person has been infected with the virus in under half an hour.

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“Fast-tracking the testing process will allow our laboratory services and health-care teams to prioritize the cases that are still infectious,” said Mauro Chies APL board chair and vice president of AHS.

“It will also free up capacity and further reduce turnaround times for the lab-based COVID-19 testing that our provincial labs will continue to provide as part of the provincial testing program.”

Because it is only a pilot program, these tests will be used on patients who are within the first seven days of experiencing symptoms; and to ensure the validity of the results, two swabs will be collected from every patient. Better safe than sorry, right? 

So there you have it, folks. With rising cases, we hope these rapid tests make a difference and can give people peace of mind – especially with our regularity scheduled cough and cold season just around the corner.

Via Shutterstock