Drayton Valley’s standalone Covid-19 testing and immunization clinic closed last week. The Drayton Valley clinic had been open since early last year and was located on 50 Street. It was one of five in central Alberta shut down by Alberta Health Services due to decreasing demand. The services previously offered by the clinic will now be available through the Drayton Valley Community Health Centre.
A number of local pharmacies continue to offer the Covid-19 vaccine and free rapid antigen testing kits for at-home use.
In a media release, AHS says it “will continue to closely monitor Covid-19 activity across the zone, and will be ready to adjust testing and immunization options should the need arise.”
As of May 2, AHS figures showed 61 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the Drayton Valley area over the previous seven days. That number may not show the whole picture since PCR testing is now only available for those who have clinical risk factors for severe outcomes and those who live and work in high-risk settings.
AHS defines the Drayton Valley area as including Brazeau County and the west end of Wetaskiwin County.
As of this week, 71.6 percent of area residents aged 12 and over have had at least one dose of vaccine. A little more than 68 percent have had two doses.
The other clinics that closed last week were in Rocky Mountain House, Drumheller, Stettler and Wainwright.
