Red Cross saliva-based CoViD-19 testing soon available in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga―Philippine Red Cross-Kalinga Chapter will soon collect Covid-19 RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test through saliva specimen, a cheaper and faster method in detecting Covid-19 virus.

Said saliva test was launched by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) through PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Senator Richard Gordon saying that the use of saliva for testing is a method that would allow the government to save millions in CoViD-19 testing.

PRC-Kalinga Chapter Administrator Raymund Mario Chan said in an interview that training of staff and volunteers on saliva specimen collection is ongoing, adding that he has informed the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) thru Governor Ferdinand Tubban about the preparations needed once it will roll out in the region.

“Naka antabay na kami for the roll out sa region CAR soon…madama ti training ti staff and volunteers kung paano mag collect and nag informed na po ako kay Governor thru letter informing that our chapter will soon collect for testing thru Saliva Specimen,” he said.

As of now, 3 staff and 4 volunteers are undergoing training who also took Basic Orientation Course beforehand and are members of Red Cross 143 program.

CoViD-19 saliva testing is priced at PhP2,000 per test, which is PhP1,800 cheaper than nasopharyngeal swab testing. In addition, the processing time of saliva testing is shorter than the swab testing or only three to four hours turnaround time.

Individuals have to spit inside a sterile 1-milliliter vial that is sealed and documented for results. Before saliva collection, they should not eat, drink, gargle, smoke, or vape for at least 30 minutes.

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Red Cross saliva-based CoViD-19 testing soon available in Kalinga

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