Saliva testing for COVID-19 now available at PRC laboratories

Specimen collectors process saliva samples for Covid testing at the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) laboratory in Mandaue City. CDN Digital photo | Mary Rose Sagarino

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has started conducting saliva testing here for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Friday, February 5, 2021.

Ariel Mañago, the laboratory supervisor of the PRC Mandaue Laboratory in barangay Jagobiao here, said they observed that a lot of people have booked for the saliva covid test.

“Sa karun nakita namo nga daghan na ang nag book sa saliva, katung wala pa ang saliva daghan jud ang swab pero karun nga gi announce na nationally daghan gyud ang nagpabook via online, via email, usahay gani mo walk-in. Nya wala baya mi walk-in no choice mi to give humanitarian service so amo lang sad iaccommodate then we will guide them on how to pay or book their appointments,” Mañago said.

Those who want to undergo the new method would only have to collect 1 to 2 milliliters of their saliva but it should be clear, colorless, non-sticky, and non-abrasive.

A funnel and container are provided at the testing facility.

He said that if one will undergo a saliva test, one should not eat, drink, smoke, no lipstick, or mouth activity at least 30 minutes before the test.

The saliva test costs P2,000 which is cheaper than the nasal swab test that costs P3,800 and both have a concordance rate of 100 percent of detecting COVID-19.

Mañago said the saliva test is also non-invasive and the result would come out in just 24 hours compared to the swab test whose result would take 24 to 48 hours to be released. He added the saliva test is way safer than the swab test for both patients and health workers as there is less contact.

The PRC Mandaue Laboratory could process from 500 to 700 samples of both the swab and saliva tests a day. /rcg