PH Red Cross in Bacolod wants to conduct saliva testing for COVID-19

BACOLOD CITY –– The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in this city wants to conduct saliva testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) starting Feb. 5.

PRC Gov. Jay Jalandoni said the PRC Bacolod laboratory could conduct saliva tests and is just waiting for the testing kits to arrive.

The saliva test, he said, would cost P2,000, which is cheaper than the nasal test that costs P3,800.

“All one has to do is spit into a bag that will then be sealed and submitted to a medical technician for testing,” Jalandoni said.

Processing time is expected to take only three to four hours.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said if the saliva tests are accurate, the province would see if the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital laboratory in Silay City could also do the same.

LZB