The Philippine Red Cross started on Wednesday its drive thru saliva PCR testing in several malls in Mandaluyong and Pasay.
The drive thru testing is open from 9 o’clock in the morning to 5 o’clock in the afternoon but online booking is required.
Compared to the cost of a swab test which is around ₱3,800, the new mode of testing is priced cheaper at ₱2,000.
PRC Chairperson and Senator Richard Gordon said the current price of saliva testing may be reduced further if more individuals will avail of it.
The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that saliva testing has been approved only as an alternative in processing RT-PCR test.
“Kailangan lang natin maging maingat sa mga ganitong initiatives although we commend this kind of effort (We have to be more careful with this initiative although we commend this kind of effort),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire cautioned.
Individuals who want to be tested using saliva samples are advised to avoid eating, gargling, smoking, and wearing lipsticks 30 minutes prior to the test.
The result of the evaluation conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on saliva testing before its utilization in other laboratories has yet to be released.
Despite the emergence of a faster and easier way of obtaining samples for COVID-19 testing, the public is still advised to follow minimum health standards. – Report from Mark Fetalco
