October 22, 2020
WETASKIWIN — To increase accessibility of COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals, temporary COVID-19 testing services are opening in the communities of Wetaskiwin and Ponoka.
The Wetaskiwin location will open October 23, with the Ponoka location opening October 29.
As with all COVID-19 testing in Alberta, at this time, testing at both locations will be by appointment only, and only available for symptomatic residents or those identified by Alberta Health Services as close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case.
These temporary locations have been established in direct response to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Wetaskiwin and Ponoka counties. The sites will ensure than people who might otherwise be challenged to travel to permanent testing sites in Red Deer, Camrose, and Drayton Valley, have additional options.
AHS Public Health also continues to offer in-home testing in Wetaskiwin, Ponoka, and across the Zone for those who are house-bound.
Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate immediately, and go online to book a testing appointment at ahs.ca/covid. People without Internet access can call 811 and HealthLink staff will book a test appointment.
Albertans have the option to consent to receive their test results by auto-dialer and SMS text message. Those who do not opt-in to receive results through these automated processes will receive results by a direct phone call.
COVID-19 results are also available through the MyHealth Records tool Albertans who sign up for MyHealth Records are able to see their COVID-19 test results, as well as other lab work and immunization records, as soon as they are ready. Parents can also access their children’s COVID-19 test results in addition to their own by signing up for MyHealth Records.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
