- MITCH M. LIPA
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Bacolod City-Negros Occidental Chapter started performing saliva tests for COVID-19 Friday, Feb. 5 and the first 20 who submitted their specimens yielded negative results.
Rita Benita Mirasol, PRC Chapter administrator, said that most of the 20 patients are Red Cross Bacolod volunteers.
The Red Cross also took their swab samples for comparison purposes.
Like the nasopharyngeal swab, saliva tests undergo the RT-PCR technique, which is the gold standard for COVID-19 testing and the results of the first 20 patients came out the same for both saliva and swab testing, Mirasol said.
Saliva testing costs only P2,000 in all PRC outlets, apparently cheaper than the price of the swab procedure which is double, she added.
It is also less invasive compared to a naso-pharyngeal swab test.
Individuals spit inside a sterile 1-milliliter vial through a straw that is sealed and documented for results.
They should not eat, drink, gargle, smoke or vape 30 minutes before the test.
PRC advised patients who wish to undergo saliva testing to properly clean their mouths through proper brushing.
Red Cross-Bacolod also accepts home service for saliva testing with additional service charge.
Unlike the polymerase chain reaction test which has a turnaround time of 24 hours, processing time of the saliva test will only take 3 to 4 hours and based on studies, it is 98.11 percent accurate, Mirasol said.
She added that they have scheduled saliva testing for some overseas Filipino workers during the weekend, particularly those who are returning to the Middle East.
Saliva test results for outgoing OFWs are valid three days before their travel dates, the Red Cross said. – MML
