Alberta Education and the Calgary Board of Education are conducting optional pre-emptive COVID-19 outdoor drive-through rapid screening tests on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 12 - 6 p.m. at two locations:
- Lester B. Pearson High School for all CBE students and immediate family members who live in the same household in northeast Calgary.
- Centennial High School for all CBE students and immediate family members who live in the same household in southeast Calgary.
Note | testing is subject to cancellation based on weather conditions. If testing is cancelled, a message will be emailed to you by 10:30 am on Friday.
The intent of this testing is to help identify asymptomatic students who may have COVID-19, before they return to in-person classes next week. This early identification will help limit the spread of the virus to classmates, family members and the general community.
Testing is available for CBE students of all grades who reside in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the city where the testing sites are located. Testing is also being offered to immediate family members of students including parents, siblings and others living in their home. Participation is optional. Family members must accompany the student to the testing site if they wish to be tested.
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, should not have a rapid screening test at school. Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 may show a positive result in a rapid screening test for up to 90 days, even though they are no longer infectious.
Everyone being tested must meet the following requirements:
- Complete and sign a consent form. Be sure to include a daytime telephone number.
- Please read all the information provided with the consent form.
- Consent forms must be completed for everyone who is being tested.
- If possible, please print out and complete the consent form ahead of time and bring it with you to the testing site.
- Consent forms will also be available at the site.
- A face mask, covering the nose and mouth, must be worn at all times while waiting in your vehicle for testing.
- Those accompanying individuals being tested, but not being tested themselves, must also wear a face mask at all times while on school property.
- Parents or guardians must accompany the student(s) if they wish to be tested as well.
- Adults will not be tested if they are not accompanying a CBE student.
When you arrive at the school:
- Testing will take place in the school parking lot. Please follow the directions of staff on site who will direct you to the testing location.
- Participants must stay in their vehicle at all times.
- Staff will confirm that you have completed a consent form before you get to the testing station. Consent forms will be available at the testing site.
- The testing teams will collect completed consent forms and test individuals while they are in their vehicles.
Getting a rapid screening test:
- A health professional will insert a nasal swab just inside the nose. The swab will be tested to identify if the person may have COVID-19.
- A rapid screening test nasal swab is typically more comfortable and less irritating than the swab usually used to test for COVID-19 at an Alberta Health Services (AHS) testing centre.
When your test is complete:
- Please leave the testing site and return home.
- If your test result is positive, a member of the testing team will phone you to discuss the results and provide further information.
- You will NOT be notified of a negative test result.
What do the results mean?
Negative results
There is no notification of a negative rapid screening test result. A negative result does not guarantee someone does not have COVID-19 or will not become infected later. Everyone should continue to follow all public health measures: physical distancing, wearing a mask, remaining in cohorts and washing hands regularly.
Positive results
A member of the testing team will contact individuals whose rapid screening test is positive.
A positive rapid test result cannot confirm someone has COVID-19. Only a more accurate lab-based COVID-19 test at an AHS testing site can confirm a COVID-19 infection. However, someone with a positive rapid screening test result is required to isolate for 10 days from the date their test was completed unless their COVID-19 lab test from AHS is negative.
Individuals with a positive rapid screening test result should book an appointment for a COVID-19 test online at www.ahs.ca/covid or call Health Link at 811 as soon as possible.
Close contacts
Close contacts of someone who has a positive rapid screening test result are not required to quarantine until an AHS test confirms the positive result.
If you have questions about school rapid screening tests, please email: EDC.SchoolRapidTesting@gov.ab.ca.
For the latest COVID-19 information, visit: http://www.alberta.ca/Covid19
2021-04-12 Consent sheet+form ADULT.pdf
2021-04-12 Consent sheet+form UNDER18.pdf
