Use COVID-19 AHS Assessment Tool to check symptoms, seek care

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is encouraging all Albertans to assess their symptoms, or the symptoms of someone they are caring for, using the online COVID-19 Assessment & Testing Tool, before they call Health Link.

Health Link continues to experience high daily call volumes and many Albertans calling Health Link are unsure how to safely manage their symptoms, or if they need to seek care with a positive COVID-19 test result.

AHS has updated the COVID-19 Assessment & Testing Tool to make it easier for Albertans to assess their symptoms, determine if they should talk to someone about their symptoms, such as their doctor or Health Link staff member, access self-care tips to help manage mild COVID-19 symptoms at home, and to determine whether or not they are eligible for PCR testing.

Even if a person has tested positive for COVID-19, they can use the tool to reassess their symptoms if they change or get worse, and determine if they need to seek care.

The tool has up-to-date guidance for adults, children and youth, and is available at ahs.ca/covidscreen.

Follow-up SMS text message with self-care tips

To ensure Albertans have access to important health information when they need it, AHS is sending a follow-up SMS text message with self-care tips to people that test positive on a PCR test.

Albertans should receive the message one hour after their positive test result. A follow-up autodial notification for people that have not consented to receive SMS texts from AHS will be available next week.

The follow-up message includes self-care tips such as getting extra rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and trying over-thecounter medications to manage mild symptoms, and directs Albertans to the AHS COVID-19 Self-Care Guide.

The self-care guide has more information on when and how to isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19, how to care for yourself or a family member at home, videos with self-care tips with several local physicians, and how to manage prolonged COVID-19 symptoms.

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 patientfocused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.