Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is now available at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Vermilion.
Alberta says all 234 pharmacies under the Loblaw name including the Shoppers on 5009 50th Avenue will offer tests by September 1st. People who do not have symptoms and have no known exposure will be able to get the tests.
Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the move will increase overall testing capacity by up to 4,000 tests a day. She adds it will help front line education staff as they prepare to return to the classroom.
“We will need this added capacity, plus that of all community pharmacists who are already testing for COVID-19 if are to test these 90,000 teachers and school staff within a few weeks.”
Hinshaw urges teachers to get tested now before heading back into the classroom in September as to not overwhelm the testing system with an influx of tests later to the first day of school.