Senator Richard Gordon officially launched the Philippine Red Cross saliva RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 in Bacolod City today, February 3, saying it will further help prevent the spread of the virus and save lives.
“Each step means that we are slowly putting the disease at bay,” Gordon, PRC chairman, said.
“Our lives and those of our family and friends are in our hands…if you are not careful you have the capacity to kill someone else that is why you must test, wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and practice social distancing,” he said.
Gordon and Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial, PRC Biomolecular Laboratories chief and former health secretary, joined the launching of the saliva testing, at the PRC laboratory in Bacolod via Zoom.
The saliva tests are 98.11 percent accurate and compared to the nasopharyngeal swab, wherein a sterile swab is inserted through a nostril and into the nasopharynx, the saliva test is noninvasive, she said.
Patients only have to spit into a sterile vial that will then be submitted to a PCR laboratory for analysis.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, in a letter to Gordon, said based on the positive recommendation of the COVID-19 Laboratory Expert Panel, the DOH approved the use of saliva as an alternative specimen for RT-PCR testing among PRC laboratories.
The Covid-19 saliva testing costs P2,000, which is P1,800 cheaper than nasopharyngeal swab testing, and will be faster, Gordon said.
One should not eat, drink water, wear lipstick or smoke 30 minutes before submitting saliva for testing, Gordon said.
He said they are also eyeing saliva tests centers in malls.
PRC Governor Jay Jalandoni said actual saliva tests will be conducted at the PRC Bacolod laboratory starting Friday, February 5.
PRC is also looking to purchase 2.2 million COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca and Moderna for distribution around the country, Gordon said.
The senator said he hopes PhilHealth pays the P588 million it owes PRC for COVID-19 cases it has conducted.*