Hey, been a little sick lately and just got tested for Covid. I don’t think it’ll be positive because I was dumb and waited a while and there’s no more fever. But, I thought I would share the experience I went through here in Alberta. (I’m a US ex-pat.)
Late Sunday / early Monday night I filled out a simple form online. The next morning I got a call from AHS (Alberta Health Service) and they asked if my symptoms were severe and if I needed an ambulance, and I said no because my symptoms were mild but annoying and very much present. They then gave me an appointment for a test the next day (which is today), and told me to go to an eco station that they converted into a drive-thru testing facility. I went there, and got in line. Maybe 10 cars ahead of me, took about 25 min to get seen. I chilled out in the car and read Kos stories and twitter to pass the time. When it was my turn, a nurse in full PPE looked at my health care card, found my data, and swabbed my throat. (That was not pleasant, but no way around it really.) Said I should expect results in a couple days, but allow for up to 5. If it’s negative I’ll get a robocall, and if positive a nurse will contact me to help manage my case. Drove away a couple min later. Never had to leave the car. No bill ever presented to me. Fully covered by single-payer Medicare here in Canada.
I don’t think Canada is doing enough testing still, but AHS is doing as well as could possibly be expected at this point in time. Very easy to get tested here.
-JA