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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PRC starts using saliva COVID-19 test Monday

PRC starts using saliva COVID-19 test Monday

Published Jan 24, 2021 12:37 pm

By Richa Noriega and Hannah Torregoza

The Philippine Red Cross said Sunday that they will begin the use of saliva-based testing for COVID-19 Monday after receiving approval from the Department of Health (DoH).

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

“Nag-present po kami sa COVID lab expert panel ng DoH noong Jan. 20 at maganda po ang naging feedback ng ating mga experto sa DoH (We presented to the COVID lab expert panel of the DoH last Jan. 20 and we received good feedback),” Dr. Paulyn Ubial, head of the PRC Molecular Laboratories, said on ABS-CBN Teleradyo.

“Ito po ay nirecommend nila kay Health Secretary Duque na nagpalabas na po ng sulat addressed sa ating PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon na puwede na mag-test ang Red Cross gamit ang saliva samples sa RT-PCR machine (They recommended this to Health Secretary Duque who issued a letter addressed to our PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon that the Red Cross can test using saliva samples on the RT-PCR machine),” she said.

According to Ubial, the PRC has submitted 1,080 samples from its pilot testing to the Health department.

Ubial said the saliva COVID-19 test will be available in Mandaluyong City and Port Area PRC Manila molecular laboratories.

“By February, we expect that the whole country all the 13 molecular laboratories of the PRC can test for saliva,” she added.

Gordon said the saliva COVID-19 test costs P2,000 and is cheaper than the gold standard RT-PCR test.

He advised those who will avail themselves of the saliva COVID-19 test they should not eat, drink, gargle, smoke, and use vape 30 minutes prior to the submission of their saliva.

“The Philippine Red Cross brings RT-PCR saliva test to the country for the first time,” said Gordon, chairman of the PRC, in a statement.

“While waiting for the vaccine, the saliva test could pave the way to test more students, healthcare workers, factory workers, company employees, and other essential workers to help stop the spread of the virus,” the senator said.

DoH Secretary Francisco Duque III, in a letter to Gordon, commended the humanitarian organization “for finishing the pilot implementation in a short period of time and complying with the initial recommendations provided by the Department.”

Those who want to avail themselves of the PRC swab test and saliva test have to book via https://book.redcross1158.com/.

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