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CHEAPEST TEST Philippine Red Cross President and CEO Richard Gordon leads the launch of the saliva test in the city of Mandaluyong on Monday. —NINO JESÚS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos now have the option to get an accurate test for the novel coronavirus without fear of having to endure nasopharyngeal swab tests after the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) formally launched its chain reaction test on Monday. saliva polymerase (PCR).
Michael Tee, principal investigator of the saliva test, said the new procedure was 98.23 percent accurate compared to the RT-PCR swab test, which had a 99 percent accuracy rate.
This meant that 98.23 percent of those who had saliva and swab tests saw the same results in both, Tee explained.
Since the saliva test would also be processed by the same reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) machines that are used in swab test samples, PRC President and CEO Richard Gordon explained that the Republic Popular China could double the amount of tests its molecular laboratories processed daily.
“The tests are very important. After testing, we can immediately isolate those who are sick to prevent the spread of the virus. Then we can also try [the patient]especially if the virus was caught early, ”Gordon said.
Currently, the People’s Republic of China has 13 molecular labs in the country that can process 9,000 tests daily, but Gordon clarified that this number could easily double once Filipinos choose to undergo the saliva test.
Those interested in having a saliva test should book an appointment through book.redcross1158.com, choose a location and date for the test.
But those who want to take the saliva test should not eat, drink, gargle, or smoke cigarettes and e-cigarettes 30 minutes before the test.
At the testing sites, they would be given a sterilized container with a barcode and a funnel, which they can use to transfer about 1 to 2 milliliters of their saliva, unlike the “more invasive” swab test.
The experts added that the saliva test would be significantly cheaper at P2,000 compared to nasal swab tests that cost at least P3,800. INQ
For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.
What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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