HomeCOVID-19Essential Role of COVID-19 Assessment Centres

Essential Role of COVID-19 Assessment Centres

Since this pandemic started, our people and teams across AHS have done amazing things. For example, we were able to set up our first assessment centres in Calgary and Edmonton only two days after the first recorded case of COVID-19 in Alberta. Now we have more than 70 active drop-in and drive-through centres and swabbing sites across the province. These are essential, as they provide rapid screening for COVID-19 for all Albertans, and help coordinate the collection of specimens while ensuring the safety of the public and healthcare workers.

In this vlog, I am joined by five guests from across Alberta to talk about the great work being done at our assessment centres. They are:

  • Laurie Blahitka, executive director for Community Health Services in the Calgary Zone
  • Leslie Gwozdz, director of operations for Public Health in the Edmonton Zone
  • Shawna Willson, a licensed practical nurse in Red Deer
  • Tracey Hanson, a registered dental assistant in Lethbridge
  • Patricia Nordstrom, a manager from Public and Population Health in Grande Prairie

My guests talk about the importance of these centres, the challenges they’ve overcome, and how they are working to meet the increased demand for testing.