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Alberta scaling back on testing for variants of concern so labs can keep up with general COVID-19 testing: AHS

As Alberta continues to be inundated with new COVID-19 cases that are also flooding hospitals, the province’s health authority confirmed Friday that testing for the variants of interest is being scaled back significantly to maintain Maintain laboratory capacity for general coronavirus testing.

“Alberta’s COVID-19 testing program will no longer screen for variants of interest on all positive COVID-19 samples,” said Alberta Health Services spokesperson Kerry Williamson. know in an email to Global News on Friday night. “Instead, the Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) will begin screening for variants of interest only in the targeted populations, including hospitalized and emergency department patients, and related patients. related to outbreaks, healthcare workers, and recent international travelers.

“These populations are at greater risk of contracting a worrisome variant or spreading a worrisome variant.”

READ MORE: Alberta teachers frustrated, worried about COVID-19 outbreak: union

Global News received an internal memo dated September 10 from APL to healthcare providers about the change in process, which noted “positive rate and test volume The overall response to COVID-19 has increased rapidly, requiring changes in testing strategies to maintain laboratory capacity and turnaround times. “

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Williamson told Global News: “Alberta’s testing program is currently completing about 10,000 tests per day, and most patients should receive their results within 24 to 48 hours.

He noted that currently, “virtually all COVID-19 cases in Alberta are Delta variants, and the public health measures in place to prevent and manage the spread of the virus are currently in place.” based on disturbing variations that are prevalent in our community.”

READ MORE: Unvaccinated pregnant Alberta woman dies of COVID-related infection

According to Williamson, the APL began screening positive COVID-19 cases for variants of concern in early 2021 but switched to a “targeted approach to screening this past May in response to increased demand during the third wave of the pandemic.”

“APL also continues to conduct full genome sequencing on hundreds of samples per week to monitor the emergence of new strains in the province,” he said.

The news comes as Alberta tries to increase hospital capacity amid the fourth wave of the pandemic by postponing a significant number of non-urgent surgeries and procedures.

On Friday, the Alberta Department of Health announced that 1,473 new COVID-19 cases had been identified in the last 24 hours. With those new infections, Alberta’s total number of active COVID-19 cases stands at 16,265 as of Friday afternoon.

READ MORE: COVID-19: Alberta records 10 more deaths on admission, ICU admissions continue to rise

Alberta Health said 686 people had been hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, of which 169 were in the ICU.

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Since COVID-19 cases began to increase rapidly last month, Premier Jason Kenney, Health Secretary Tyler Shandro and chief medical officer Dr Deena Hinshaw have had to closely monitor what a Some medical professionals and health care professionals have called the response inadequate to the fourth wave of the pandemic in Alberta.

Last week, the province announced it would once again require Albertans to wear masks in most indoor public spaces and force bars and restaurants to stop selling alcohol after 10 p.m. in an effort to bend the growing curve. increase in COVID-19 infections.

Speaking at a news conference in Rocky Mountain House, Alta., on Friday, Shandro said his government wanted to see what impact the province’s recent public health measures would have on cases. hospitalized for COVID-19 before introducing any other restrictions to address the crisis.

READ MORE: Alberta health minister defends decision against COVID-19 vaccine passports amid repeated questioning

“We are taking this opportunity to see what that impact is, and for us to continue looking at those numbers and the opportunity to continue working with (Hinshaw) and her office on what has may be more necessary,” said Shandro.

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