KALIBO, Aklan – For a convenient and cost-effective saliva testing to detect coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, the Philippine Red Cross opened collection sites here in Kalibo and in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.
The collected saliva samples would be forwarded to Red Cross’ molecular laboratory in New Townsite, Barangay Sablogon, Passi City, Iloilo province for reverse transcription polymerase chain action (RT-PCR) testing.
The rollout starts in Red Cross offices in Sitio Ambulong, Barangay Manocmanoc, Boracay Island and F. Quimpo Street, Barangay Poblacion, Kalibo on April 22, rrom 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and every Thursday thereafter.
The cheaper, faster and non-invasive method to get tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) costs P2,000 – lower than the nasal swab test of P3,500. It has also an accuracy rate of 98.23 percent.
The saliva specimens are as sensitive as nasopharyngeal swab specimens in detecting the causative agent of COVID-19.
The processing time for saliva testing is shorter than the RT-PCR swab testing, with a turnaround time of three to four hours.
“We are given tubes for the saliva collection. There is no need for cold chain maintenance for saliva specimens,” said PRC Boracay-Malay chapter coordinator Rona Liza Inocencio.
A negative COVID-19 test is a pre-entry requirement for Boracay tourists.
Other countries like Japan, United Kingdom, France, Thailand, United States of America, Hong Kong, Israel, Australia, and Singapore also approved COVID-19 saliva-based tests for arriving passengers.
Saliva tests typically require clients to spit into a tube. Individuals are reminded to avoid drinking, eating and smoking 30 minutes prior to collection of saliva samples. About one to two milliliters of saliva is needed for RT-PCR testing.
Clients may fill out the form at c19.redcross.org.ph/public-ecif and complete the personal and contact information.
Choose the preferred billing method and the payment billing details. Bring the e-CIF retrieval code before proceeding to collection site./PN
