Calgary woman without vehicle questions why she had to ask aunt to take her through COVID-19 drive-up test

A Calgary woman has concerns about her COVID-19 test experience after she repeatedly told health professionals she couldn't go to a drive-through testing site.

When Jessica Ouellette was scheduled for a drive-up test, she asked for another option.
    
She doesn't drive — so the nurse on the line told her to take a cab.
    
"I was sitting there thinking, and I was like, hmm. So I called a cab company, Checker Cab, and they said absolutely not."

There are currently two walk-in and four drive-up test sites in the city.

According to Alberta Health Services, donning a mask to catch a cab or get a ride from a friend is allowed. In certain situations, AHS says, it can refer patients to a community paramedic, who will test patients at home.

Ouellette says that option wasn't presented to her, even after multiple calls.

"I had to call my auntie, who takes care of her granddaughter who has a heart condition. And she actually helps take care of my grandmother, too," she said.

Ouellette says she took the ride but felt horrible putting someone outside of her immediate household at risk.

In the end, her test result came back negative.

But she says she wants others to know what options to ask for to avoid a similar experience.

"I'm just saying, if you're in my position and you don't have access to a vehicle and you have to call somebody that you love to come out of their household — stress that to them, stress that and push it hard, because if they're saying there's resources available to you, you should be able to access them."