People who test positive for COVID-19 should still isolate: PHAC

OTTAWA – The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says people who test positive for COVID-19 should still isolate, even if the requirement to do so is set to lift in Alberta.

This week, the Alberta government said it would be doing away with mandatory isolation requirements in positive cases.

Requirements for close contacts to isolate have already been lifted in the province.

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“Quarantine and isolation can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. This is especially important with the spread of variants of concern in Canada,” reads a statement from PHAC.

The agency says it’s also still encouraging people to isolate if they are a close contact.

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However, the province plans to scale back testing measures.

Starting in mid-August, testing will only be available for Albertans with symptoms when it is needed to help direct patient care decisions.