- Testing kits are available to incorporated businesses and non-profits.
- Businesses do not require a Chamber membership to be eligible.
- The test kit includes Abbott Panbio nasal swabs. Additional information on these tests can be found under the Resources section of the following site:
alberta.ca/rapid–testing–program.aspx.
- A medical professional is not required to administer rapid tests. Simply watch the training video.
- 25 tests come in each box and each box is smaller than a normal shoe box. If you requested 500 tests, it would be 20 shoe boxes. Businesses need to take an entire box of 25 as the box to test only contains one bottle of testing solution per 25 tests. Please request tests in the value of 25 or you will be supplied with the number of tests requested for the month rounded up to the nearest multiple of 25.
- The program will run until it is no longer needed, and will conclude no later than
December 31, 2021.
- Rapid tests can produce results in 15–20 minutes.
- This does not include the time required to collect and prepare samples. Test times and schedules should be planned accordingly.
- There is no cost to eligible organizations for testing kits.
- While the kits themselves are free, there may be associated costs with implementing a screening program. Organizations are responsible for all costs related to screening programs they initiate and assume all medical and legal responsibilities associated with the screening programs.
- They are also responsible for ensuring proper protocols are in place for COVID–19 screening, including, but not limited to: quality control testing, quality assurance practices, test result interpretation, result sharing (including privacy requirements), appropriate follow–up on positive test results, and disposal of biohazardous material.
- Individuals who have no symptoms and have no known close contact with a confirmed positive case are eligible for screening.
- Individuals with core COVID–19 symptoms or who are close contacts of a confirmed positive should not undergo screening and should be directed to isolate and to arrange for testing through Alberta Health Services. Online Assessment Tool
- Individuals who have received a COVID–19 vaccine are eligible for asymptomatic screening through rapid testing. The vaccine has no impacts on rapid test results.
- It is recommended screening be done once or twice per week.
- An effective screening program requires screening to be done on a regular basis with an established schedule. Screening less often has limited value.
- Screening can happen before entering a facility, at the start of a shift, at any time during a shift, or during set ‘screening clinics’ arranged at certain days/times. Each option has its own logistical considerations. An organization has to identify which approach works best for them.
- All participants need to follow the guidance document on rapid testing.
- Any screening program that uses rapid testing must only be for people without symptoms and with no known exposure to COVID–19 (not a close contact).
- People with symptoms or who are known contacts should receive a diagnostic COVID–19 test through Alberta Health Services.
- Tests can be administered by a trained layperson, and self–administration is permissible under supervision on–site.
- While rapid tests produce results faster than the lab–based RT–PCR test, they are not as sensitive.
- Lower sensitivity means that the tests require more virus for a positive result than the gold standard PCR test. This means the rapid tests might produce a negative result even though there is virus present. This is called a false negative.
- A positive result on a rapid screen performed on an asymptomatic person is not diagnostic for COVID–19.
- An individual who screens positive must immediately be removed from the site and isolate.
- Individuals should be supported in accessing a confirmatory laboratory–based PCR test at an AHS assessment centre.
- A negative result does not guarantee that the individual is not infected with COVID–19 or will not spread it to others. In asymptomatic individuals, false negatives are common.
- Recent infection with COVID–19 may interfere with test effectiveness.
- Screening results in these individuals should be interpreted with caution. We do not recommend screening someone if they have been diagnosed with COVID–19 within the last 4 weeks.
- We will order large quantities of kits, but in the event that we run out, the Government of Alberta has indicated that it takes 3 – 4 business days to re-order. We will advise of any stocking issues prior to the date of your scheduled pickup.
- If a business ends its screening program, all unused tests are required to be returned to the Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce.
- Testing does not supplement or replace public heath measures such as symptom monitoring, physical distancing, masking, hand hygiene, and isolating when symptomatic or a close contact to a confirmed case.
- Please continue to follow all public health guidelines as communicate by Alberta Health Services.
- Please order enough kits for one month at a time. Each employee must be tested at least once or twice weekly.
- All businesses must complete and submit the online form to be reviewed and approved by the Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce.
- We will contact you to schedule a pick up time from the Chamber office once test kits are available.
- Every Monday, participating businesses must complete the weekly reporting form on our website.
At this time, we will provide businesses with one month’s supply of kits based on the requested number of tests per month included in their application form.