Temporary COVID-19 assessment site to open in northeast Calgary

In an effort to ramp up its COVID-19testing capacity, Alberta Health Services will open a temporary walk-up testing site in northeast Calgary on April 30.

The site is located at the McKnight Westwinds Park and Ride lot, located at 6200 36 Street N.E., and will run Monday to Fridays from8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Albertans who have COVID-19 symptoms or those who are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case can utilize the testing site.

The site is intended for booked appointments only, which can be scheduled via the AHSonline booking toolor by calling 811.

AHS said that the site is being established as Alberta fights an increase in COVID-19 cases, including the more contagious variant strains.

Appointments at the site are free.

According to AHS, it's expected that the number of tests at the facility will reach 500 by early next week, with a goal of as many as 2,000 tests per day when the facility is at its capacity.