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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gordon says saliva testing can be used by those who are traveling

Gordon says saliva testing can be used by those who are traveling

Published Jan 26, 2021 12:12 pm

Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday said the national task force against COVID-19 and other establishments should be able to accept the result of a saliva COVID-19 test administered by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) from anyone who is traveling.

Senator Richard Gordon (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Sen. Richard Gordon, in an interview with the ANC Headstart, said the procedure, developed in University of Illinois, Chicago has been recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) itself and the University of the Philippines Research Board for Ethics Review (UP-ERB).

Gordon said the PRC’s saliva COVID test is still utilizing the polymerase chain reaction or PCR.

Experts consider RT-PCR test as the gold standard test which is required in airports and tourist destinations nationwide.

“We’re still using the PCR test, which is the gold standard in testing. We are not doing away with it,” said Gordon, who is also PRC chairman.

“We cannot do it without the PCR…It has 99.9 accuracy. We can’t do away with it, otherwise you’ll have bad results,” Gordon stressed.

The PRC earlier launched the saliva COVID-19 test in its Metro Manila laboratories and is aiming to roll it out across the country by February 1.

Gordon said the saliva COVID-19 can also be used by students, those taking the Bar exams and even those working in call centers.

Though currently priced at around P2,000, Gordon said the Red Cross can lower the price to P1,500 if there is a huge volume in testing.

The procedure should also be covered by state insurer PhilHealth.

“That should be according to the Secretary of Health. I think they should be jumping with joy because instead of paying us more, they are paying us less,” the senator said, reminding PhilHealth to settle its debt with the PRC at the same time.

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