PRC launches COVID-19 saliva test, to conduct it on 1,000 health workers

The Philippine Red Cross is set to conduct COVID-19 tests using saliva to over 1,000 health workers in the country in compliance with the Department of Health’s requirements for the full approval of the new testing method.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PRC said saliva testing is a faster, easier and cheaper alternative to the swab test as it is simpler and requires less processing.

For the saliva reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test pilot, the PRC said it partnered with 15 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila to implement the test as part of the health workers’ routine surveillance.

“Prerequisite to the DOH’s requirements, we will test medical frontliners as they are the most exposed to the virus. The saliva testing can pave the way to a faster, easier, and cheaper process,” PRC chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon said.

PRC conducted pilot testing of the saliva RT-PCR on Tuesday, with Gordon demonstrating how the process works.

The saliva testing, which has a turnaround time of three to four hours, is expected to be priced at P2,000.

Gordon said saliva tests are a game-changer as they are less invasive.

In a televised address last week, President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for the use of saliva testing, citing information from Gordon that its results are 99% accurate.

The DOH, meanwhile, said saliva tests for COVID-19 need further study.

The Philippines has so far recorded a total of 489,736 cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 458,206 have recovered, while 9,416 have died. The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 22,114.  — KBK, GMA News