Alberta Health Services (AHS) is providing all unimmunized physicians and staff with the option of temporary frequent COVID-19 testing.
The frequent testing will ensure the expected demand on the healthcare system from the Omicron variant can be met, a government of Alberta media release said.
“We stand by the Alberta Health Services workers immunization policy as we have from the start, and staff and physicians deserve credit for the high immunization coverage they’ve achieved. In light of the risk posed by the Omicron variant, we need to adjust the policy to maximize capacity and avoid losing any staff if we can while still keeping patients safe. The immunization policy is about putting patients first, and this adjustment continues to put patients first by supporting Alberta Health Services is planning to add capacity as needed,” minister of health, Jason Copping said.
The testing option was previously available to unimmunized AHS workers at specific locations. However, the testing is available to any unimmunized staff members who want to return to work.
The testing option will be reviewed by March 2022.
As of Dec. 23, approximately 1,400 full- and part-time staff who are not fully immunized have been placed on unpaid leave. The testing option allows those staff to return to work if they accept the testing option, the release said.
Testing will be available at their expense, and unimmunized staff will be required to provide proof of a negative Health Canada-approved COVID-19 test that was completed no more than 48 hours before each of their working shifts. A positive rapid antigen test would require a PCR test.
“We are concerned about the rapid rise in Omicron cases across the province in recent days and anticipate that it could further impact our healthcare system quickly. We must ensure we have the staff and resources required to care for our patients,” AHS president and CEO, Dr. Verna Yiu said.
