The Philippine Red Cross Leyte Chapter based in Tacloban City has started offering saliva reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for Covid-19 which it says is cheaper, safer and more convenient than the nasal and oral RT-PCR tests.
THE Philippine Red Cross – Leyte Chapter is now ready to offer saliva-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for Covid-19.
The saliva test, first offered by the PRC last January, has been touted as a safer and more convenient alternative to the nasal or throat-based RT-PCR tests which can cause extreme discomfort to the patient.
Unlike nasal and oral RT-PCR tests, the saliva test is “non-invasive” because the patient only has to produce saliva that is about three-fourth of the test tube provided, according to PRC-Leyte Chapter head Feliciano Alarcon.
However, clients have to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and putting on lipstick and other mouth-related activities at least 30 minutes before the scheduled collection of specimens, to ensure that it will be free of contaminants.
The PRC-Leyte Chapter will offer collection of specimens for the saliva RT-PCR every Tuesday and Thursday morning after which the collected specimens will be sent to their testing facility in Cebu.
The results of the said testing can be expected after 24 to 36 hours and the test results would be sent simultaneously to the client, the Red Cross chapter, as well as the Department of Health (DOH).
Aside from the convenience, a saliva RT-PCR test is much cheaper as it costs only P2,000 compared to a swab test.
Since the launching of the saliva testing center last April 27, a total of 29 specimens from walk- in clients have been gathered.
The PRC will start their information drive to all local government units in Leyte province by next week. (JKA/with report from PNA)
Tags: #SalivaCovid19test, #Covid19, #PhilippineRedCross