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AHS launches additional tools to help Â鶹ӳ»­ns manage mild symptoms at home

EDMONTON ¨C Â鶹ӳ»­ (AHS) is encouraging all Â鶹ӳ»­ns 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 Â鶹ӳ»­ns 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 Â鶹ӳ»­ns 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 re-assess 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 Â鶹ӳ»­ns 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.

Â鶹ӳ»­ns 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-the-counter medications to manage mild symptoms, and directs Â鶹ӳ»­ns 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.

Â鶹ӳ»­ is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Â鶹ӳ»­. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Â鶹ӳ»­ns.